diff --git a/docs/source/conf.py b/docs/source/conf.py
index 35ede73..9eabed5 100644
--- a/docs/source/conf.py
+++ b/docs/source/conf.py
@@ -25,12 +25,18 @@
 # Retrieve the version number from the package
 try:
     release = setuptools_scm.get_version(root="../..", relative_to=__file__)
-    release = release.split("+")[0]  # remove git hash but retain .dev tag if present
+    release = release.split("+")[0]  # remove git hash
 except LookupError:
     # if git is not initialised, still allow local build
     # with a dummy version
     release = "0.0.0"
 
+# Release labels for the version switcher dropdown
+if "dev" in release:
+    doc_version = "dev"
+else:
+    doc_version = f"v{release}"
+
 
 # -- General configuration ---------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -130,7 +136,7 @@
     ],
     "switcher": {
         "json_url": "https://neuroblueprint.neuroinformatics.dev/latest/_static/switcher.json",
-        "version_match": release,
+        "version_match": doc_version,
     },
     "logo": {
         "text": f"NeuroBlueprint v{release}",