diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index fadd05b..04dedde 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 Package: websocket
-Version: 1.4.4
+Version: 1.4.4.9000
 Title: 'WebSocket' Client Library
 Description: Provides a 'WebSocket' client interface for R.
     'WebSocket' is a protocol for low-overhead real-time communication:
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index 093c7a5..6dd868d 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+# websocket (development version)
+
 # websocket 1.4.4
 
 * Silences inaccurate deprecation warnings from certain C++ compilers. (#116)