diff --git a/java/sdk.go b/java/sdk.go
index 10ae3f6..b0da5af 100644
--- a/java/sdk.go
+++ b/java/sdk.go
@@ -57,10 +57,14 @@
 		return JAVA_VERSION_8
 	} else if sdk.FinalOrFutureInt() <= 31 {
 		return JAVA_VERSION_9
-	} else if sdk.FinalOrFutureInt() <= 32 {
-		return JAVA_VERSION_11
-	} else {
+	} else if ctx.Config().TargetsJava17() {
+		// Temporary experimental flag to be able to try and build with
+		// java version 17 options.  The flag, if used, just sets Java
+		// 17 as the default version, leaving any components that
+		// target an older version intact.
 		return JAVA_VERSION_17
+	} else {
+		return JAVA_VERSION_11
 	}
 }