diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 3bcca128b..2d8a4343c 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-4.3.8
+4.4.0-rc.1
diff --git a/internal/updates/version.go b/internal/updates/version.go
index 517c66853..b6e0ec760 100644
--- a/internal/updates/version.go
+++ b/internal/updates/version.go
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ func GetCurrentVersion() (*VersionInfo, error) {
 	}
 	
 	// Final fallback
-	version := "4.3.7"
+	version := "4.4.0-rc.1"
 	channel := "stable"
 	if strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(version), "rc") {
 		channel = "rc"