diff --git a/java/compatibility_tests/v2.5.0/pom.xml b/java/compatibility_tests/v2.5.0/pom.xml
index 83a7563afd9f1..472dad7a32515 100644
--- a/java/compatibility_tests/v2.5.0/pom.xml
+++ b/java/compatibility_tests/v2.5.0/pom.xml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
     <protobuf.version>2.5.0</protobuf.version>
 
     <protos.protoc.path>${protoc.path}</protos.protoc.path>
-    <protos.protobuf.version>${protobuf.version}</protos.protobuf.version>
+    <protos.protobuf.version>3.25.5</protos.protobuf.version>
 
     <more_protos.protoc.path>${protoc.path}</more_protos.protoc.path>
     <more_protos.protobuf.version>${protobuf.version}</more_protos.protobuf.version>