diff --git a/src/doomdef.h b/src/doomdef.h
index 24898bdf6..b1ce0b79c 100644
--- a/src/doomdef.h
+++ b/src/doomdef.h
@@ -130,7 +130,11 @@ extern char logfilename[1024];
 // most interface strings are ignored in development mode.
 // we use comprevision and compbranch instead.
 #else
+#ifdef BETAVERSION
+#define VERSIONSTRING "v"SRB2VERSION" "BETAVERSION
+#else
 #define VERSIONSTRING "v"SRB2VERSION
+#endif
 // Hey! If you change this, add 1 to the MODVERSION below!
 // Otherwise we can't force updates!
 #endif
diff --git a/src/version.h b/src/version.h
index 31cf85bdc..dce681669 100644
--- a/src/version.h
+++ b/src/version.h
@@ -10,3 +10,6 @@
 // Only set it higher, not lower, obviously.
 // Note that we use this to help keep internal testing in check; this is why v2.2.0 is not version "1".
 #define MODVERSION 47
+
+// Define this as a prerelease version suffix
+//#define BETAVERSION "RC1"