diff --git a/examples/distro/build.gradle b/examples/distro/build.gradle
index 3e25ab0716..71d87a9f4a 100644
--- a/examples/distro/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/distro/build.gradle
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ subprojects {
   ext {
     versions = [
       // these lines are managed by .github/scripts/update-sdk-version.sh
-      opentelemetry              : "1.20.1",
+      opentelemetry              : "1.21.0",
 
       // these lines are managed by .github/scripts/update-version.sh
       opentelemetryJavaagent     : "1.21.0-SNAPSHOT",