diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index d52c2dc16..fb27f1fa5 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
 # The short X.Y version.
 version = '0.5'
 # The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags.
-release = '0.5.2'
+release = '0.5.3a'
 
 # The language for content autogenerated by Sphinx. Refer to documentation
 # for a list of supported languages.
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 4b7684ad0..7bc3ce744 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 setup(
     name="vumi",
-    version="0.5.2",
+    version="0.5.3a",
     url='http://github.com/praekelt/vumi',
     license='BSD',
     description="Super-scalable messaging engine for the delivery of SMS, "
diff --git a/vumi/__init__.py b/vumi/__init__.py
index 3f50b84ca..8ee4542c8 100644
--- a/vumi/__init__.py
+++ b/vumi/__init__.py
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
 Vumi scalable text messaging engine.
 """
 
-__version__ = "0.5.2"
+__version__ = "0.5.3a"