diff --git a/RELEASE_NOTES.txt b/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
index a6018189..21dc5a06 100644
--- a/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
+++ b/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+# v0.9.51
+
+- add backwords compatible use of 'oauth' bearer key when using single auth
+
 # v0.9.50
 
 - fix workunit.ExitStatus on completion
diff --git a/lib/conf/conf.go b/lib/conf/conf.go
index 8891c33e..7faaefc4 100644
--- a/lib/conf/conf.go
+++ b/lib/conf/conf.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 )
 
-const VERSION string = "0.9.50"
+const VERSION string = "0.9.51"
 
 var GIT_COMMIT_HASH string // use -ldflags "-X github.com/MG-RAST/AWE/lib/conf.GIT_COMMIT_HASH <value>"
 const BasePriority int = 1