diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index a045c0a25..bfdbb498e 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+1.6.1.dev0
+ * Add a randomized delay to the sample systemd timer to spread out the load on a server.
+
 1.6.0
  * #381: BREAKING: Greatly simplify configuration file reuse by deep merging when including common
    configuration. See the documentation for more information:
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 2e2813177..4ecc30f2e 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from setuptools import find_packages, setup
 
-VERSION = '1.6.0'
+VERSION = '1.6.1.dev0'
 
 
 setup(