diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index d960ef295..e32d649cd 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
-New Features in task 1.8.0
+New Features in task 1.8
 
   - Attribute modifiers, for precise queries
   - Improved calendar feature
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 84a692e7a..d72275877 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # Process this file with autoconf to produce a configure script.
 
 AC_PREREQ(2.61)
-AC_INIT(task, 1.8.0, support@taskwarrior.org)
+AC_INIT(task, 1.8.1, support@taskwarrior.org)
 
 CFLAGS="${CFLAGS=}"
 CXXFLAGS="${CXXFLAGS=}"