diff --git a/roles/ensure-java/README.rst b/roles/ensure-java/README.rst
index 08eeb4328..0a2f77ab6 100644
--- a/roles/ensure-java/README.rst
+++ b/roles/ensure-java/README.rst
@@ -5,6 +5,6 @@ Installs the specified version of the JDK.
 **Role Variables**
 
 .. zuul:rolevar:: java_version
-   :default: 8
+   :default: 11
 
    Version of Java to install.
diff --git a/roles/ensure-java/defaults/main.yaml b/roles/ensure-java/defaults/main.yaml
index 9ed782db2..57ec84070 100644
--- a/roles/ensure-java/defaults/main.yaml
+++ b/roles/ensure-java/defaults/main.yaml
@@ -1 +1 @@
-java_version: 8
+java_version: 11