diff --git a/tools/hicexplorer/hicBuildMatrixMicroC.xml b/tools/hicexplorer/hicBuildMatrixMicroC.xml
index 9a72edb329f..2d3bb1f9c8a 100644
--- a/tools/hicexplorer/hicBuildMatrixMicroC.xml
+++ b/tools/hicexplorer/hicBuildMatrixMicroC.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
         <import>macros.xml</import>
     </macros>
     <expand macro="requirements">
-        <requirement type="package" version="1.19">samtools</requirement>
+        <requirement type="package" version="1.21">samtools</requirement>
     </expand>
     <command detect_errors="exit_code"><![CDATA[