diff --git a/Variables.mk b/Variables.mk
index 29ef1924..43e28ff6 100644
--- a/Variables.mk
+++ b/Variables.mk
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ VARLIST := OS
 # Project Information
 VARLIST += WAREWULF VERSION RELEASE
 WAREWULF ?= warewulf
-VERSION ?= 4.4.0
+VERSION ?= 4.5.x
 GIT_TAG := $(shell test -e .git && git log -1 --format="%h")
 
 ifdef GIT_TAG