diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 983587fd0b760..aee097953d0c3 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -82,6 +82,14 @@ subprojects {
 
   sourceCompatibility = 1.7
 
+  if (JavaVersion.current().isJava8Compatible()) {
+    tasks.withType(Javadoc) {
+        // disable the crazy super-strict doclint tool in Java 8
+        //noinspection SpellCheckingInspection
+        options.addStringOption('Xdoclint:none', '-quiet')
+      }
+  }
+
   uploadArchives {
     repositories {
       signing {