diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 0ae2d745..c26eb8af 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+2.8.1 - 2020-10-28
+==================
+
+### Fixes
+- Allow default `language_version` of `system` when the homedir is `/`
+    - #1669 PR by @asottile.
+
 2.8.0 - 2020-10-28
 ==================
 
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index eb7a8e19..94f14ad4 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [metadata]
 name = pre_commit
-version = 2.8.0
+version = 2.8.1
 description = A framework for managing and maintaining multi-language pre-commit hooks.
 long_description = file: README.md
 long_description_content_type = text/markdown