diff --git a/lib/restclient/version.rb b/lib/restclient/version.rb
index 8358abc..c3841e9 100644
--- a/lib/restclient/version.rb
+++ b/lib/restclient/version.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module RestClient
-  VERSION = '1.7.0.alpha' unless defined?(self::VERSION)
+  VERSION = '1.7.0.rc1' unless defined?(self::VERSION)
 
   def self.version
     VERSION