diff --git a/environment.yml b/environment.yml
index 1c6f1d84a0..9ce9a2c7e7 100644
--- a/environment.yml
+++ b/environment.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ dependencies:
   - ecmwf-api-client
   - eofs
   - esmpy
-  - esmvalcore==2.8.0rc1  # change to 2.8.* after release
+  - esmvalcore==2.8.0rc2  # change to 2.8.* after release
   - fiona
   - fire
   - gdal
diff --git a/environment_osx.yml b/environment_osx.yml
index ec88336633..d032665aac 100644
--- a/environment_osx.yml
+++ b/environment_osx.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ dependencies:
   - ecmwf-api-client
   - eofs
   - esmpy
-  - esmvalcore==2.8.0rc1  # change to 2.8.* after release
+  - esmvalcore==2.8.0rc2  # change to 2.8.* after release
   - fiona
   - fire
   - gdal