diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 0cae180a8..f1661b087 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+New in spot 2.9.6.dev  (not yet released)
+
+  Nothing yet.
+
 New in spot 2.9.6 (2021-01-18)
 
   Build:
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 556e5ccff..201a96e4c 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 AC_PREREQ([2.69])
-AC_INIT([spot], [2.9.6], [spot@lrde.epita.fr])
+AC_INIT([spot], [2.9.6.dev], [spot@lrde.epita.fr])
 AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR([tools])
 AC_CONFIG_MACRO_DIR([m4])
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([1.11 gnu tar-ustar color-tests parallel-tests])