diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index 10a76842..d1fc745c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -5,6 +5,16 @@ Changelog for the **SODAR Core** Django app package. Loosely follows the
 `Keep a Changelog <http://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/>`_ guidelines.
 
 
+Unreleased
+==========
+
+Fixed
+-----
+
+- **Timeline**
+    - Deprecated link dict ``blank`` field assumed as mandatory (#1462)
+
+
 v1.0.0 (2024-07-19)
 ===================
 
diff --git a/docs/source/conf.py b/docs/source/conf.py
index f628b7d5..4dc8443f 100644
--- a/docs/source/conf.py
+++ b/docs/source/conf.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 # The short X.Y version
 version = '1.0'
 # The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags
-release = '1.0.0'
+release = '1.0.1-WIP'
 
 
 # -- General configuration ---------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/docs/source/major_changes.rst b/docs/source/major_changes.rst
index 856957be..8ae64597 100644
--- a/docs/source/major_changes.rst
+++ b/docs/source/major_changes.rst
@@ -10,6 +10,15 @@ older SODAR Core version. For a complete list of changes in current and previous
 releases, see the :ref:`full changelog<changelog>`.
 
 
+v1.0.1 (WIP)
+************
+
+Release Highlights
+==================
+
+**TODO**
+
+
 v1.0.0 (2024-07-19)
 *******************
 
diff --git a/timeline/api.py b/timeline/api.py
index e0be027d..10115f0c 100644
--- a/timeline/api.py
+++ b/timeline/api.py
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def _get_ref_description(cls, event, ref_label, app_plugin, request):
                     link = PluginObjectLink(
                         url=link['url'],
                         name=link['label'],
-                        blank=link['blank'],
+                        blank=link.get('blank', False),
                     )
                 if not link.name:
                     logger.warning(