diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index a8fbf9fc26c..3a0331c2158 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ repositories {
 }
 
 final htsjdkVersion = System.getProperty('htsjdk.version','2.24.1')
-final picardVersion = System.getProperty('picard.version','2.25.4')
+final picardVersion = System.getProperty('picard.version','2.27.1')
 final barclayVersion = System.getProperty('barclay.version','4.0.2')
 final sparkVersion = System.getProperty('spark.version', '2.4.5')
 final scalaVersion = System.getProperty('scala.version', '2.11')