diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index c32d7efee0..ee9752d2e6 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2023.09-dev
+2023.09-rc
diff --git a/src/App.php b/src/App.php
index a708abe649..3482d11158 100644
--- a/src/App.php
+++ b/src/App.php
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class App
 {
 	const PLATFORM = 'Friendica';
 	const CODENAME = 'Giant Rhubarb';
-	const VERSION  = '2023.09-dev';
+	const VERSION  = '2023.09-rc';
 
 	// Allow themes to control internal parameters
 	// by changing App values in theme.php