diff --git a/.releaserc b/.releaserc
index 783eb1c1..187bd38c 100644
--- a/.releaserc
+++ b/.releaserc
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
   "branches": [
     "+([0-9])?(.{+([0-9]),x}).x",
     { "name": "stable", "channel": "latest" },
-    { "name": "master", "prerelease": "alpha", "channel": "alpha" }
+    # Alpha period only: restore "channel": "alpha" when stable is first advanced.
+    { "name": "master", "prerelease": "alpha", "channel": "latest" }
   ],
   "tagFormat": "v${version}",
   "plugins": [