diff --git a/anki/__init__.py b/anki/__init__.py
index 20d47bf58..959aa5a40 100644
--- a/anki/__init__.py
+++ b/anki/__init__.py
@@ -12,6 +12,6 @@ if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
 elif sys.version_info[1] < 4:
     raise Exception("Anki requires Python 3.4+")
 
-version="2.0.36" # build scripts grep this line, so preserve formatting
+version="2.1.0-alpha1" # build scripts grep this line, so preserve formatting
 from anki.storage import Collection
 __all__ = ["Collection"]