diff --git a/plugins/inputs/kafka_consumer/kafka_consumer.go b/plugins/inputs/kafka_consumer/kafka_consumer.go
index e8df2ea49ccd7..a725139975068 100644
--- a/plugins/inputs/kafka_consumer/kafka_consumer.go
+++ b/plugins/inputs/kafka_consumer/kafka_consumer.go
@@ -112,11 +112,11 @@ func (k *KafkaConsumer) Init() error {
 
 	switch strings.ToLower(k.BalanceStrategy) {
 	case "range", "":
-		cfg.Consumer.Group.Rebalance.Strategy = sarama.BalanceStrategyRange
+		cfg.Consumer.Group.Rebalance.GroupStrategies = []sarama.BalanceStrategy{sarama.BalanceStrategyRange}
 	case "roundrobin":
-		cfg.Consumer.Group.Rebalance.Strategy = sarama.BalanceStrategyRoundRobin
+		cfg.Consumer.Group.Rebalance.GroupStrategies = []sarama.BalanceStrategy{sarama.BalanceStrategyRoundRobin}
 	case "sticky":
-		cfg.Consumer.Group.Rebalance.Strategy = sarama.BalanceStrategySticky
+		cfg.Consumer.Group.Rebalance.GroupStrategies = []sarama.BalanceStrategy{sarama.BalanceStrategySticky}
 	default:
 		return fmt.Errorf("invalid balance strategy %q", k.BalanceStrategy)
 	}