diff --git a/plexus-compilers/plexus-compiler-javac/src/main/java/org/codehaus/plexus/compiler/javac/JavacCompiler.java b/plexus-compilers/plexus-compiler-javac/src/main/java/org/codehaus/plexus/compiler/javac/JavacCompiler.java
index f7154566..2c7a9bc7 100644
--- a/plexus-compilers/plexus-compiler-javac/src/main/java/org/codehaus/plexus/compiler/javac/JavacCompiler.java
+++ b/plexus-compilers/plexus-compiler-javac/src/main/java/org/codehaus/plexus/compiler/javac/JavacCompiler.java
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ public static String[] buildCompilerArguments(
             args.add("-Werror");
         }
 
-        if (!StringUtils.isEmpty(config.getReleaseVersion())) {
+        if (JavaVersion.JAVA_9.isOlderOrEqualTo(javacVersion) && !StringUtils.isEmpty(config.getReleaseVersion())) {
             args.add("--release");
             args.add(config.getReleaseVersion());
         } else {