diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 2bf5eede17f37..90532807fa363 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"name": "gutenberg",
-	"version": "16.1.1",
+	"version": "16.2.0-rc.1",
 	"lockfileVersion": 1,
 	"requires": true,
 	"dependencies": {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index c59052505902d..0eeea38ea8e86 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"name": "gutenberg",
-	"version": "16.1.1",
+	"version": "16.2.0-rc.1",
 	"private": true,
 	"description": "A new WordPress editor experience.",
 	"author": "The WordPress Contributors",