diff --git a/HISTORY.md b/HISTORY.md
index a579cabde5..4c23ecd03d 100644
--- a/HISTORY.md
+++ b/HISTORY.md
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 # Keyman Version History
 
+## 19.0.16 alpha 2025-03-19
+
+* feat(core): check on load for valid kmx_plus unicode (#13486)
+
 ## 19.0.15 alpha 2025-03-18
 
 * chore: merge master into linux-mcompile (#13506)
diff --git a/VERSION.md b/VERSION.md
index 3581d546f1..5c8f2d1cdf 100644
--- a/VERSION.md
+++ b/VERSION.md
@@ -1 +1 @@
-19.0.16
\ No newline at end of file
+19.0.17
\ No newline at end of file