diff --git a/testprojects/maven_layout/maven_and_pants/pom.xml b/testprojects/maven_layout/maven_and_pants/pom.xml
index 8edb4d0b03a..19359585eb8 100644
--- a/testprojects/maven_layout/maven_and_pants/pom.xml
+++ b/testprojects/maven_layout/maven_and_pants/pom.xml
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@
     <dependency>
       <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
       <artifactId>protobuf-java</artifactId>
-      <version>2.4.1</version>
+      <version>3.16.1</version>
     </dependency>
     <dependency>
       <groupId>junit</groupId>