diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/default.nix
index 5fe7f25b61e9..9d4b9726bd28 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/default.nix
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ let
   gnome3 = self // { recurseForDerivations = false; };
   gtk = gtk3;
   gtkmm = gtkmm3;
-  vala = pkgs.vala_0_38;
+  vala = pkgs.vala_0_40;
   gegl_0_3 = pkgs.gegl_0_3.override { inherit gtk; };
 
 # Simplify the nixos module and gnome packages