diff --git a/django/__init__.py b/django/__init__.py
index 7459eaad05..cac2a80b17 100644
--- a/django/__init__.py
+++ b/django/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from django.utils.version import get_version
 
-VERSION = (2, 0, 0, 'alpha', 1)
+VERSION = (2, 0, 0, 'beta', 1)
 
 __version__ = get_version(VERSION)
 
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 1d3f0521bb..35ea1933ab 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ setup(
     },
     zip_safe=False,
     classifiers=[
-        'Development Status :: 3 - Alpha',
+        'Development Status :: 4 - Beta',
         'Environment :: Web Environment',
         'Framework :: Django',
         'Intended Audience :: Developers',