diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 6c3be47fb51..3cbb8c58caa 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -1104,7 +1104,7 @@ org.eclipse.jdt.ui.text.custom_code_templates=<?xml version\="1.0" encoding\="UT
                 <plugin>
                     <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                     <artifactId>maven-pmd-plugin</artifactId>
-                    <version>3.3</version>
+                    <version>3.5</version>
                     <configuration>
                         <rulesets>
                             <ruleset>${elasticsearch.tools.directory}/pmd/custom.xml</ruleset>