diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index b05df0130b..fcf86a2cc0 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def ensureBuildPrerequisites(buildPrerequisitesMessage) {
 
 ensureBuildPrerequisites(buildPrerequisitesMessage)
 
-final htsjdkVersion = System.getProperty('htsjdk.version', '3.0.5')
+final htsjdkVersion = System.getProperty('htsjdk.version', '4.0.2')
 dependencies {
     implementation('com.intel.gkl:gkl:0.8.11') {
         exclude module: 'htsjdk'