diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index f09196c3e0..42f9a96546 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -1,3 +1,11 @@
+# Synapse 1.145.0rc4 (2026-01-08)
+
+No significant changes since 1.145.0rc3.
+
+This RC contains a fix specifically for openSUSE packaging and no other changes. 
+
+
+
 # Synapse 1.145.0rc3 (2026-01-07)
 
 No significant changes since 1.145.0rc2.
diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 7d3961db63..83bf194bad 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+matrix-synapse-py3 (1.145.0~rc4) stable; urgency=medium
+
+  * New Synapse release 1.145.0rc4.
+
+ -- Synapse Packaging team <packages@matrix.org>  Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:06:35 -0700
+
 matrix-synapse-py3 (1.145.0~rc3) stable; urgency=medium
 
   * New Synapse release 1.145.0rc3.
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index ea512c5656..548c1284e8 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "matrix-synapse"
-version = "1.145.0rc3"
+version = "1.145.0rc4"
 description = "Homeserver for the Matrix decentralised comms protocol"
 readme = "README.rst"
 authors = [
@@ -438,7 +438,9 @@ include = [
     { path = "rust/build.rs", format = "sdist" },
     { path = "rust/src/**", format = "sdist" },
 ]
-exclude = ["synapse/*.so"]
+exclude = [
+    { path = "synapse/*.so", format = "sdist" },
+]
 
 [build-system]
 # The upper bounds here are defensive, intended to prevent situations like