diff --git a/config/release/kustomization.yaml b/config/release/kustomization.yaml
index d3e5fb33..a6370076 100644
--- a/config/release/kustomization.yaml
+++ b/config/release/kustomization.yaml
@@ -4,4 +4,4 @@ resources:
 # newTag points to the latest release image and must be updated before tagging a new release
 images:
 - name: quay.io/confidential-containers/operator
-  newTag: v0.9.0-alpha0
+  newTag: v0.9.0-alpha1