diff --git a/build.env b/build.env
index 837f99bc487..f4d59e2d28b 100755
--- a/build.env
+++ b/build.env
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 source ./tools/shell_functions.inc
 
 go version >/dev/null 2>&1 || fail "Go is not installed or is not in \$PATH. See https://vitess.io/contributing/build-from-source for install instructions."
-goversion_min 1.20.5 || fail "Go version reported: `go version`. Version 1.20.5+ required. See https://vitess.io/contributing/build-from-source for install instructions."
+goversion_min 1.18.7 || fail "Go version reported: `go version`. Version 1.20.5+ required. See https://vitess.io/contributing/build-from-source for install instructions."
 
 mkdir -p dist
 mkdir -p bin