diff --git a/biz.aQute.bnd.gradle/src/aQute/bnd/gradle/BndUtils.groovy b/biz.aQute.bnd.gradle/src/aQute/bnd/gradle/BndUtils.groovy
index f41b82ecbd..cf3ad6c965 100644
--- a/biz.aQute.bnd.gradle/src/aQute/bnd/gradle/BndUtils.groovy
+++ b/biz.aQute.bnd.gradle/src/aQute/bnd/gradle/BndUtils.groovy
@@ -65,7 +65,15 @@ class BndUtils {
 
   public static void jarLibraryElements(Project project, String configurationName) {
     if (IS_GRADLE_COMPATIBLE_5_6) {
-      project.configurations[configurationName].attributes.attribute(LibraryElements.LIBRARY_ELEMENTS_ATTRIBUTE, project.objects.named(LibraryElements.class, LibraryElements.JAR))
+      def attributes = project.configurations[configurationName].attributes
+      if (attributes.getAttribute(LibraryElements.LIBRARY_ELEMENTS_ATTRIBUTE)?.name != LibraryElements.JAR) {
+        try {
+          attributes.attribute(LibraryElements.LIBRARY_ELEMENTS_ATTRIBUTE, project.objects.named(LibraryElements.class, LibraryElements.JAR))
+          project.logger.info 'Set {}:{} configuration attribute {} to {}', project.path, configurationName, LibraryElements.LIBRARY_ELEMENTS_ATTRIBUTE, attributes.getAttribute(LibraryElements.LIBRARY_ELEMENTS_ATTRIBUTE)
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+          project.logger.info 'Unable to set {}:{} configuration attribute {} to {}', project.path, configurationName, LibraryElements.LIBRARY_ELEMENTS_ATTRIBUTE, LibraryElements.JAR, e
+        }
+      }
     }
   }
 }