diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index 68d1b9a8f9ee4..bec37d7fe684f 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ OpenSSL Releases
 OpenSSL 3.1
 -----------
 
+### Changes between 3.1.7 and 3.1.8 [xx XXX xxxx]
+
+ * none yet
+
 ### Changes between 3.1.6 and 3.1.7 [3 Sep 2024]
 
  * Fixed possible denial of service in X.509 name checks.
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index c5f6413ec9af9..92d7aa975a72d 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ OpenSSL Releases
 OpenSSL 3.1
 -----------
 
+### Major changes between OpenSSL 3.1.7 and OpenSSL 3.1.8 [under development]
+
+  * none
+
 ### Major changes between OpenSSL 3.1.6 and OpenSSL 3.1.7 [3 Sep 2024]
 
 OpenSSL 3.1.7 is a security patch release. The most severe CVE fixed in this
diff --git a/VERSION.dat b/VERSION.dat
index 4935e5198d1d0..a43a28120510e 100644
--- a/VERSION.dat
+++ b/VERSION.dat
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 MAJOR=3
 MINOR=1
-PATCH=7
-PRE_RELEASE_TAG=
+PATCH=8
+PRE_RELEASE_TAG=dev
 BUILD_METADATA=
-RELEASE_DATE="3 Sep 2024"
+RELEASE_DATE=""
 SHLIB_VERSION=3