diff --git a/libraries/tools/kotlin-maven-plugin/src/main/java/org/jetbrains/kotlin/maven/K2JVMCompileMojo.java b/libraries/tools/kotlin-maven-plugin/src/main/java/org/jetbrains/kotlin/maven/K2JVMCompileMojo.java
index f0cfd189965..754cf244bf5 100644
--- a/libraries/tools/kotlin-maven-plugin/src/main/java/org/jetbrains/kotlin/maven/K2JVMCompileMojo.java
+++ b/libraries/tools/kotlin-maven-plugin/src/main/java/org/jetbrains/kotlin/maven/K2JVMCompileMojo.java
@@ -162,7 +162,9 @@ public class K2JVMCompileMojo extends KotlinCompileMojoBase<K2JVMCompilerArgumen
             getLog().info("Optimization is turned off");
         }
 
-        arguments.jvmTarget = jvmTarget;
+        if (jvmTarget != null) {
+            arguments.jvmTarget = jvmTarget;
+        }
 
         if (jdkHome != null) {
             getLog().info("Overriding JDK home path with: " + jdkHome);