diff --git a/Include/patchlevel.h b/Include/patchlevel.h
index 77e724957f9..1ec9761b964 100644
--- a/Include/patchlevel.h
+++ b/Include/patchlevel.h
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 #define PY_RELEASE_SERIAL	0
 
 /* Version as a string */
-#define PY_VERSION      	"3.5.3"
+#define PY_VERSION      	"3.5.3+"
 /*--end constants--*/
 
 /* Version as a single 4-byte hex number, e.g. 0x010502B2 == 1.5.2b2.
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 41cfdbab0f5..881b268f439 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -2,10 +2,22 @@
 Python News
 +++++++++++
 
+What's New in Python 3.5.4 release candidate 1?
+===============================================
+
+Release date: XXXX-XX-XX
+
+Core and Builtins
+-----------------
+
+Library
+-------
+
+
 What's New in Python 3.5.3?
 ===========================
 
-Release date: 2017-01-16
+Release date: 2017-01-17
 
 There were no code changes between 3.5.3rc1 and 3.5.3 final.