diff --git a/build/build.xml b/build/build.xml
index c6c2f1c5..bdc4f9a2 100644
--- a/build/build.xml
+++ b/build/build.xml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
     <target name="init">
         <property name="Name" value="helma"/>
         <property name="year" value="1998-${year}"/>
-        <property name="version" value="1.6.2"/>
+        <property name="version" value="1.7.0-pre"/>
         <property name="project" value="helma"/>
 
         <property name="cvs.root.apps" value=":pserver:anonymous@adele.helma.at:/opt/cvs/apps"/>
diff --git a/src/helma/main/Server.java b/src/helma/main/Server.java
index 91bcfb96..f7a3081e 100644
--- a/src/helma/main/Server.java
+++ b/src/helma/main/Server.java
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ import helma.util.ResourceProperties;
  */
 public class Server implements Runnable {
     // version string
-    public static final String version = "1.6.2 (__builddate__)";
+    public static final String version = "1.7.0-pre (__builddate__)";
 
     // static server instance
     private static Server server;