diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index 64cb7bd03..bed603ae8 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@
 # built documents.
 #
 # The short X.Y version.
-version = '1.7.4'
+version = '1.8.0rc'
 # The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags.
-release = '1.7.4'
+release = '1.8.0rc'
 
 # 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 b42ff03bb..e75c76573 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 setup(
     name="tensorlayer",
-    version="1.7.4",
+    version="1.8.0rc",
     include_package_data=True,
     author='TensorLayer Contributors',
     author_email='hao.dong11@imperial.ac.uk',
diff --git a/tensorlayer/__init__.py b/tensorlayer/__init__.py
index 000ed8dfa..8fe1ebff8 100644
--- a/tensorlayer/__init__.py
+++ b/tensorlayer/__init__.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 act = activation
 vis = visualize
 
-__version__ = "1.7.4"
+__version__ = "1.8.0rc"
 
 global_flag = {}
 global_dict = {}