diff --git a/gradle-modules/gradle/gradle-employee-app/build.gradle b/gradle-modules/gradle/gradle-employee-app/build.gradle
index c7040504f1..03d28f7e20 100644
--- a/gradle-modules/gradle/gradle-employee-app/build.gradle
+++ b/gradle-modules/gradle/gradle-employee-app/build.gradle
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ plugins {
 apply plugin: 'application'
 mainClassName = 'employee.EmployeeApp'
 
-sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
-targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
+sourceCompatibility = "1.8"
+targetCompatibility = "1.8"
 
 println 'This is executed during configuration phase'