diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index f2e4b894..dc5c89a5 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,25 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 <!-- New entries go after this line -->
 
+## v4.4.1-rc.1 - 2023-05-20 [Pre-release]
+
+Small bug fix release that addresses the image preview buttons disappearing.
+
+Following the [Node.js maintenance schedule](https://nodejs.dev/en/about/releases/), The Lounge now needs at least Node.js 16 to run.
+
+[See the full changelog](https://github.com/thelounge/thelounge/compare/v4.4.0...v4.4.1-rc.1)
+
+This is a release candidate (RC) for v4.4.1 to ensure maximum stability for public release.
+Bugs may be fixed, but no further features will be added until the next stable version.
+
+Please refer to the commit list given above for a complete list of changes, or wait for the stable release to get a thoroughly prepared change log entry.
+
+As with all pre-releases, this version requires explicit use of the `next` tag to be installed:
+
+```sh
+yarn global add thelounge@next
+```
+
 ## v4.4.0 - 2023-04-22
 
 For more details, [see the full changelog](https://github.com/thelounge/thelounge/compare/v4.3.1...v4.4.0) and [milestone](https://github.com/thelounge/thelounge/milestone/42?closed=1).
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index dd14af23..9142332b 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "thelounge",
   "description": "The self-hosted Web IRC client",
-  "version": "4.4.0",
+  "version": "4.4.1-rc.1",
   "preferGlobal": true,
   "bin": {
     "thelounge": "index.js"