diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 91928538..79ad0fc0 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ task fortifyScan(type: JavaExec)  {
 
 checkstyle {
   maxWarnings = 0
-  toolVersion = '11.0.1'
+  toolVersion = '12.1.1'
   // need to set configDir to rootDir otherwise submodule will use submodule/config/checkstyle
   configDirectory = new File(rootDir, 'config/checkstyle')
 }