diff --git a/felix-shell.spec b/felix-shell.spec
index fcbcb76..69fefd9 100644
--- a/felix-shell.spec
+++ b/felix-shell.spec
@@ -53,7 +53,10 @@ This package contains API documentation for %{name}.
 %{mvn_file} :%{bundle} "felix/%{bundle}"
 
 %build
-%{mvn_build} -f -- -Dmaven.compiler.release=6
+%{mvn_build} -f \
+%if %{?pkg_vcmp:%pkg_vcmp java-devel >= 9}%{!?pkg_vcmp:0}
+	-- -Dmaven.compiler.release=6
+%endif
 
 %install
 %mvn_install