diff --git a/SCYLLA-VERSION-GEN b/SCYLLA-VERSION-GEN
index d7d63ac1e4..9b3ebdc16a 100755
--- a/SCYLLA-VERSION-GEN
+++ b/SCYLLA-VERSION-GEN
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ fi
 
 # Default scylla product/version tags
 PRODUCT=scylla
-VERSION=2026.2.0-dev
+VERSION=2026.2.0-rc0
 
 if test -f version
 then