diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index d0e45414..e993e219 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ version = 3.0-SNAPSHOT
 # dependencies
 annotationsVersion = 24.1.0
 graphQLJavaVersion = 22.3
-protobufVersion = 4.27.1
+# generated proto v3 messages can be used with v3 and v4
+protobufVersion = 3.25.5
 slf4jVersion = 2.0.16
 springBootVersion = 3.3.6