diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 491240c7d..8b1ebf926 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -52,15 +52,18 @@
       <plugin>
         <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
         <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
-        <version>2.3.2</version>
+        <version>3.1</version>
         <configuration>
           <source>1.5</source>
           <target>1.5</target>
           <fork>true</fork>
           <showDeprecation>true</showDeprecation>
           <showWarnings>true</showWarnings>
-          <!-- yes, those quoted spaces are a workaround sanctioned by the Maven idiocracy -->
-          <compilerArgument>-Xlint" "-Xlint:-serial" "-Xlint:-path</compilerArgument>
+          <compilerArgs>
+            <arg>-Xlint</arg>
+            <arg>-Xlint:-serial</arg>
+            <arg>-Xlint:-path</arg>
+          </compilerArgs>
         </configuration>
       </plugin>
       <plugin>
@@ -113,6 +116,7 @@
         <version>2.5</version>
       </plugin>
     </plugins>
+
     <pluginManagement>
       <plugins>
         <plugin>