diff --git a/pyproj/__init__.py b/pyproj/__init__.py
index e82535cde..f00619c92 100644
--- a/pyproj/__init__.py
+++ b/pyproj/__init__.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE
 SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 """
-__version__ = "3.1.dev0"
+__version__ = "3.1rc0"
 __all__ = [
     "Proj",
     "Geod",