diff --git a/internal/cueversion/version.go b/internal/cueversion/version.go
index 48ffc9cafb5..b49256df652 100644
--- a/internal/cueversion/version.go
+++ b/internal/cueversion/version.go
@@ -10,18 +10,16 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 )
 
-// fallbackVersion is used when there isn't a recorded main module
-// version, for example when building via `go install ./cmd/cue`. It
-// should reflect the last release in the current branch.
+// fallbackVersion is used when there isn't a recorded main module version,
+// for example when building via `go install ./cmd/cue`.
+// It should reflect the last release in the current branch.
 //
 // TODO: remove once Go stamps local builds with a main module version
-// derived from the local VCS information per
-// https://go.dev/issue/50603.
-const fallbackVersion = "v0.8.0-alpha.5"
+// derived from the local VCS information per https://go.dev/issue/50603.
+const fallbackVersion = "v0.8.0-rc.1"
 
-// Version returns the version of the cuelang.org/go module as best
-// as can reasonably be determined. The result is always a valid Go
-// semver version.
+// Version returns the version of the cuelang.org/go module as best as can
+// reasonably be determined. The result is always a valid Go semver version.
 func Version() string {
 	return versionOnce()
 }