diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish-release.yml b/.github/workflows/publish-release.yml
index c93a07bc1e..5d043b2a62 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish-release.yml
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ jobs:
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.BALLERINA_BOT_TOKEN }}
         with:
-          tag_name: "v${{ steps.version-set.outputs.version }}"
+          tag_name: "v${{ steps.version-set.outputs.version }}-rc1"
           release_name: ${{ steps.version-set.outputs.version }}
           draft: false
           prerelease: false
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 7b69b3c90d..c98dee673a 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ allprojects {
         failOnSnapshotDependencies = true
         failOnCommitNeeded = false
         versionPropertyFile = 'gradle.properties'
-        tagTemplate = 'v${version}'
+        tagTemplate = 'v${version}-rc1'
         git {
             // To release from any branch
             requireBranch = ''