diff --git a/.github/workflows/gradle.yml b/.github/workflows/gradle.yml
index eeca323f..1ab3de1d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/gradle.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/gradle.yml
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ jobs:
     - run: |
         echo Verifying the java version used in class files...
         cd build/classes/kotlin/main
-        javap -v com.github.spotbugs.snom.SpotBugsPlugin | grep -q 'major version: 55'
+        javap -v com.github.spotbugs.snom.SpotBugsPlugin | grep -q 'major version: 52'
     - name: Run Semantic Release
       run: |
         echo "gradle.publish.key=${{ secrets.GRADLE_PUBLISH_KEY }}" > ~/.gradle/gradle.properties
diff --git a/build.gradle.kts b/build.gradle.kts
index 86d6d3bc..e478a6c7 100644
--- a/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/build.gradle.kts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import io.gitlab.arturbosch.detekt.Detekt
 import org.jetbrains.dokka.gradle.DokkaTask
+import org.jetbrains.kotlin.gradle.tasks.KotlinCompile
 
 plugins {
     groovy
@@ -54,6 +55,12 @@ signing {
 }
 
 tasks {
+    withType<JavaCompile> {
+        options.release.set(8)
+    }
+    withType<KotlinCompile>().configureEach {
+        kotlinOptions.jvmTarget = "1.8"
+    }
     named<Detekt>("detekt") {
         reports {
             sarif.required = true