diff --git a/synapse/__init__.py b/synapse/__init__.py
index b1f7a89fba..312e4e2fa6 100644
--- a/synapse/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/__init__.py
@@ -27,4 +27,4 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     pass
 
-__version__ = "0.33.5.1"
+__version__ = "0.33.6rc1"