diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 0438541fd39e..b65a43a197e5 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "prebid.js",
-  "version": "8.43.0",
+  "version": "8.44.0-pre",
   "lockfileVersion": 2,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 019350c7a29f..b7a1e1bafab1 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "prebid.js",
-  "version": "8.43.0",
+  "version": "8.44.0-pre",
   "description": "Header Bidding Management Library",
   "main": "src/prebid.js",
   "scripts": {