diff --git a/.github/workflows/gatk-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/gatk-tests.yml
index f3e09cc6782..20471b29890 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/gatk-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/gatk-tests.yml
@@ -258,6 +258,12 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2
         with:
           fetch: 0
+      - name: Set up java 17
+        uses: actions/setup-java@v2
+        with:
+          java-version: '17'
+          distribution: 'temurin'
+          cache: gradle
       - uses: ./.github/actions/install-cromwell
         with:
           CROMWELL_VERSION: ${{ env.CROMWELL_VERSION }}