diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 3f1523ca7..b8bb32878 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ android {
         minSdkVersion 16
         targetSdkVersion 28
         versionCode 367
-        versionName "2.7.1"
+        versionName "2.8.0-alpha"
         archivesBaseName += "-$versionName"
         applicationId "eu.siacs.conversations"
         resValue "string", "applicationId", applicationId