diff --git a/src/main/scala/sbtprotoc/ProtocPlugin.scala b/src/main/scala/sbtprotoc/ProtocPlugin.scala
index eb4dbf42..c1c0f75c 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/sbtprotoc/ProtocPlugin.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/sbtprotoc/ProtocPlugin.scala
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ object ProtocPlugin extends AutoPlugin {
 
   private[this] def protobufGlobalSettings: Seq[Def.Setting[_]] =
     Seq(
-      PB.protocVersion            := "3.15.6",
+      PB.protocVersion            := "3.18.1",
       PB.deleteTargetDirectory    := true,
       PB.cacheArtifactResolution  := true,
       PB.cacheClassLoaders        := true,