diff --git a/imperative/python/version_template.py b/imperative/python/version_template.py
index f45d439922daea36ef7b020dcabc852663c69da4..08159023e31ac27a225d427eec84ffcab0e864df 100644
--- a/imperative/python/version_template.py
+++ b/imperative/python/version_template.py
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@
 # Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
 # software distributed under the License is distributed on an
 # "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT ARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-__version__ = "1.6.0.dev"
+__version__ = "1.7.0.dev"