diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index a3899890..1a45e90f 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ plugins {
     id 'org.sonarqube' version '3.1.1'
 }
 
+sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
 group = 'com.github.spotbugs.snom'
 
 repositories {
@@ -33,10 +35,6 @@ dependencies {
     testImplementation 'com.tngtech.archunit:archunit:0.16.0'
 }
 
-tasks.withType(JavaCompile).configureEach {
-    options.release = 8
-}
-
 tasks.named('groovydoc') {
     docTitle 'SpotBugs Gradle Plugin'
     link 'https://docs.gradle.org/current/javadoc/', 'org.gradle.api.'