diff --git a/circus-train-distcp-copier/pom.xml b/circus-train-distcp-copier/pom.xml
index a8f3fe0b..0f405a83 100644
--- a/circus-train-distcp-copier/pom.xml
+++ b/circus-train-distcp-copier/pom.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   <name>DistCp Copier</name>
 
   <properties>
-    <protobuf.version>2.5.0</protobuf.version>
+    <protobuf.version>3.16.1</protobuf.version>
   </properties>
 
   <dependencies>