diff --git a/intellij-plugin/settings.gradle.kts b/intellij-plugin/settings.gradle.kts
index a642ca2..daa707f 100644
--- a/intellij-plugin/settings.gradle.kts
+++ b/intellij-plugin/settings.gradle.kts
@@ -4,4 +4,12 @@ plugins {
     id("org.gradle.toolchains.foojay-resolver-convention") version "0.8.0"
 }
 
+val currentJavaVersion = JavaVersion.current()
+if (currentJavaVersion < JavaVersion.VERSION_17 || currentJavaVersion > JavaVersion.VERSION_21) {
+    throw GradleException(
+        "This project requires Gradle to run on JDK 17-21, but it was launched with $currentJavaVersion. " +
+        "Please set JAVA_HOME to a supported JDK as described in README.md."
+    )
+}
+
 rootProject.name = "selenium-boot-idea"