diff --git a/.github/workflows/npm_publish.yml b/.github/workflows/npm_publish.yml
index 03bccf443..9fd0f1177 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/npm_publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/npm_publish.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,12 @@ jobs:
         run: yarn install
 
       - name: Build, Test, and Package
-        run: yarn preversion
+        run: |
+          npm unpublish @stellar/stellar-sdk@v12.0.0
+          npm unpublish stellar-sdk@v12.0.0
+          yarn preversion
+        env:
+          NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
 
       - name: Publish npm package to both places
         run: |
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 4aa92ae98..e6996850b 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@stellar/stellar-sdk",
-  "version": "12.0.0",
+  "version": "12.0.0-rc.1",
   "description": "A library for working with the Stellar network, including communication with the Horizon and Soroban RPC servers.",
   "keywords": [
     "stellar"