diff --git a/prelude/java/java_library.bzl b/prelude/java/java_library.bzl
index 6fd5aeb855345..ad3c51c929915 100644
--- a/prelude/java/java_library.bzl
+++ b/prelude/java/java_library.bzl
@@ -135,9 +135,12 @@ def _build_classpath(actions: AnalysisActions, deps: list[Dependency], additiona
 
 def _build_bootclasspath(bootclasspath_entries: list[Artifact], source_level: int, java_toolchain: JavaToolchainInfo) -> list[Artifact]:
     bootclasspath_list = []
-    if source_level in [8]:
+    if source_level in [7, 8]:
         if bootclasspath_entries:
             bootclasspath_list = bootclasspath_entries
+        elif source_level == 7:
+            expect(java_toolchain.bootclasspath_7, "Must specify bootclasspath for source level 7")
+            bootclasspath_list = java_toolchain.bootclasspath_7
         elif source_level == 8:
             expect(java_toolchain.bootclasspath_8, "Must specify bootclasspath for source level 8")
             bootclasspath_list = java_toolchain.bootclasspath_8