diff --git a/Changes b/Changes
index 91b355795..aa24b39b0 100644
--- a/Changes
+++ b/Changes
@@ -8,6 +8,14 @@ The changes in each Verilator version are described below.  The
 contributors that suggested a given feature are shown in []. Thanks!
 
 
+Verilator 5.001 devel
+==========================
+
+**Major:**
+
+* This is a major new release, currently only in alpha testing.
+
+
 Verilator 4.221 devel
 ==========================
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0be207f17..3313a0437 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 #AC_INIT([Verilator],[#.### YYYY-MM-DD])
 #AC_INIT([Verilator],[#.### devel])
-AC_INIT([Verilator],[4.221 devel],
+AC_INIT([Verilator],[5.001 devel],
         [https://verilator.org],
         [verilator],[https://verilator.org])
 # When releasing, also update header of Changes file