diff --git a/codec/api/gradle.properties b/codec/api/gradle.properties
index c186bbfdde1..d14e3d77ef9 100644
--- a/codec/api/gradle.properties
+++ b/codec/api/gradle.properties
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
 io.deephaven.project.ProjectType=JAVA_PUBLIC
+languageLevel=8
\ No newline at end of file