diff --git a/framework/cdv-gradle-config-defaults.json b/framework/cdv-gradle-config-defaults.json
index d4d84c7a8..2609c7ed8 100644
--- a/framework/cdv-gradle-config-defaults.json
+++ b/framework/cdv-gradle-config-defaults.json
@@ -15,5 +15,5 @@
     "PACKAGE_NAMESPACE": "io.cordova.helloCordova",
     "JAVA_SOURCE_COMPATIBILITY": 8,
     "JAVA_TARGET_COMPATIBILITY": 8,
-    "KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET": "1.8"
+    "KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET": null
 }
diff --git a/templates/project/app/build.gradle b/templates/project/app/build.gradle
index ba137a716..32832c509 100644
--- a/templates/project/app/build.gradle
+++ b/templates/project/app/build.gradle
@@ -257,6 +257,34 @@ android {
     }
 
     if (cordovaConfig.IS_GRADLE_PLUGIN_KOTLIN_ENABLED) {
+        if (cordovaConfig.KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET == null) {
+            // If the value is null, fallback to JAVA_TARGET_COMPATIBILITY,
+            // as they generally should be equal
+            def javaTarget = JavaLanguageVersion.of(cordovaConfig.JAVA_TARGET_COMPATIBILITY)
+            println "FALLBACK: " + javaTarget
+
+            // check if javaTarget is <= 8; if so, we need to prefix it with "1."
+            // Starting with 9 and later, the value can be used as is.
+            if (javaTarget.compareTo(JavaLanguageVersion.of(8)) <= 0) {
+                println "PREFIXING 1."
+                javaTarget = "1." + javaTarget
+            }
+
+            cordovaConfig.KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET = javaTarget
+        }
+
+        // Similar to above, check if kotlin target is <= 8, if so prefix it.
+        // This allows the user to use consistent set of values in config.xml
+        // Rather than having to be aware whether the "1."" prefix is needed.
+        // This check is only done if the value isn't already prefixed with 1.
+        if (
+            !cordovaConfig.KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET.startsWith("1.") &&
+            JavaLanguageVersion.of(cordovaConfig.KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET).compareTo(JavaLanguageVersion.of(8)) <= 0
+        ) {
+            cordovaConfig.KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET = "1." + cordovaConfig.KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET
+        }
+
+        println "KOTLINJVMTARGET: " + cordovaConfig.KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET
         kotlinOptions {
             jvmTarget = cordovaConfig.KOTLIN_JVM_TARGET
         }