diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index 8a1b9570f2..e98044d436 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '3.5.2';
+$wp_version = '3.5.3-alpha';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.