diff --git a/GITLAB_SHELL_VERSION b/GITLAB_SHELL_VERSION
index 1f7391f92..ba2906d06 100644
--- a/GITLAB_SHELL_VERSION
+++ b/GITLAB_SHELL_VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-master
+main
diff --git a/changelogs/unreleased/gitlab-shell-uses-main.yml b/changelogs/unreleased/gitlab-shell-uses-main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d3888df02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/unreleased/gitlab-shell-uses-main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+title: Use the 'main' branch for gitlab-shell nightlies
+merge_request: 4772
+author:
+type: other