diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
index bd69da2317c..b58b8eb7b16 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+1.9.53 (2014-09-10):
+ * revamped configuration handling and support of config file overrides
+ * prevent timeouts when collecting bugtools
+ * allow vCPU hotplug for HVM guests if feature-vcpu-hotplug is set
+ * improve cancellation of VM migration
+ * use busybox for DHCP on the host internal management network
+
 1.11.0 (2013-07-11):
  * CP-5113: Queue VM.unpause immediately after VM.start
  * CA-109295: Allow other_config:hvm_serial to set values other than "pty"
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 1cac385c6cb..a4bcd25e80b 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.11.0
+1.9.53