diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 80c0824088..b2226cce85 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ buildscript {
 
     ext.asm_version = '5.0.4'
     ext.artemis_version = '2.6.2'
-    ext.jackson_version = '2.9.8'
+    // upgrade Jackson only when corda is using kotlin 1.3.10
+    ext.jackson_version = '2.9.5'
     ext.jetty_version = '9.4.7.v20170914'
     ext.jersey_version = '2.25'
     ext.assertj_version = '3.8.0'