diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index b274f45..d526301 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -19,5 +19,7 @@ EXTRA_DIST = src/Makefile.am\
              test_apps/recv_and_unpack.inc \
              README.md
 
+@RELMAKE@
+
 pkgconfigdir = $(libdir)/pkgconfig
 pkgconfig_DATA = libsmpp34.pc
diff --git a/TODO-RELEASE b/TODO-RELEASE
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0852fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/TODO-RELEASE
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# When cleaning up this file: bump API version in corresponding Makefile.am and rename corresponding debian/lib*.install
+# according to https://www.gnu.org/software/libtool/manual/html_node/Updating-version-info.html#Updating-version-info
+# In short:
+# LIBVERSION=c:r:a
+# If the library source code has changed at all since the last update, then increment revision: c:r + 1:a.
+# If any interfaces have been added, removed, or changed since the last update: c + 1:0:0.
+# If any interfaces have been added since the last public release: c:r:a + 1.
+# If any interfaces have been removed or changed since the last public release: c:r:0.
+#library	what		description / commit summary line
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0354ab9..305cc11 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR(aux_config)
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([foreign])
 AM_CONFIG_HEADER([aux_config/config.h])
 
+dnl include release helper
+RELMAKE='-include osmo-release.mk'
+AC_SUBST([RELMAKE])
+
 # Checks for programs.
 AC_PROG_CC
 AM_PROG_CC_C_O
diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index c0c3948..5a142af 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-libsmpp34 (1.12) UNRELEASED; urgency=medium
+libsmpp34 (1.12.0) UNRELEASED; urgency=medium
 
   [ Holger Hans Peter Freyther ]
   * Move forward towards a new release.