diff --git a/gradle/scripts/lib/java-rpc-thrift.gradle b/gradle/scripts/lib/java-rpc-thrift.gradle
index 0b06061e7484..72b4ae5b0053 100644
--- a/gradle/scripts/lib/java-rpc-thrift.gradle
+++ b/gradle/scripts/lib/java-rpc-thrift.gradle
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@ configure(projectsWithFlags('java')) {
         def scope = sourceSet.name
         // Create the task assuming the source directory exists
         // so that subprojects can refer to the task.
-        CompileThriftTask task = project.tasks.create([
+        def task = project.tasks.create([
                 name: sourceSet.getTaskName('compile', 'thrift'),
                 group: 'Build',
                 description: "Compiles the ${sourceSet.name} .thrift files.",
                 type: CompileThriftTask.class,
-        ])
+        ]) as CompileThriftTask
 
         def sourcesJarTask = project.tasks.findByName(sourceSet.getTaskName('sources', 'jar'))
         if (sourcesJarTask) {