diff --git a/makefile.defaults b/makefile.defaults
index 5fda4aedb4..064a32b4cf 100644
--- a/makefile.defaults
+++ b/makefile.defaults
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 # Version number; . separates major and minor version part
 # developer versions have minor version numbers divisible by 2
-VERSION=4.80
+VERSION=4.81
 
 
 # NOTES ON CONDITIONAL COMPILATION