diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index 5395e7b..235dd3e 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Package: cowplot
 Title: Streamlined Plot Theme and Plot Annotations for 'ggplot2'
-Version: 1.1.3
+Version: 1.1.3.9000
 Authors@R:
     person(
       given = "Claus O.",
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index 212a3bf..d030038 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
+# cowplot 1.1.3.9000
+
+
 # cowplot 1.1.3
 
 - fix issues with upcoming ggplot 3.5.0.
 
-
 # cowplot 1.1.2
 
 - fix warning message: deprecated `size` argument in `element_rect()` and `element_line()` (@Yunuuuu, #190)