diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 8c4fd55e3cf..296a0a572a3 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@
 from setuptools import Command
 
 MAJOR = 0
-MINOR = 8
-MICRO = 2
-ISRELEASED = False
+MINOR = 9
+MICRO = 0
+ISRELEASED = True
 VERSION = '%d.%d.%d' % (MAJOR, MINOR, MICRO)
-QUALIFIER = ''
+QUALIFIER = 'rc1'
 
 
 DISTNAME = 'xarray'
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
     'Programming Language :: Python :: 2',
     'Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7',
     'Programming Language :: Python :: 3',
-    'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3',
     'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4',
     'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5',
     'Topic :: Scientific/Engineering',