diff --git a/pmd/plugin.jelly b/pmd/plugin.jelly
index 859b3c9a..9658f869 100644
--- a/pmd/plugin.jelly
+++ b/pmd/plugin.jelly
@@ -114,8 +114,12 @@
 
     <j:choose>
       <j:when test="${sourcesPresent == 'true'}">
-	    <maven:get var="defaultTargetJdk" plugin="maven-java-plugin" property="maven.compile.source"/>
-	    <maven:property var="targetjdk" name="maven.pmd.targetjdk" defaultValue="defaultTargetJdk"/>
+        <maven:get var="defaultTargetJdk" plugin="maven-java-plugin" property="maven.compile.source"/>
+        <!-- maven.compile.source is not set in java plugin contrary to documentation -->
+        <j:if test="${defaultTargetJdk == null}">
+          <j:set var="defaultTargetJdk" value="1.3" />
+        </j:if>
+        <maven:property var="targetjdk" name="maven.pmd.targetjdk" defaultValue="${defaultTargetJdk}"/>
         <pmd 
           rulesetfiles="${maven.pmd.rulesetfiles}" 
           printToConsole="${maven.pmd.console}"