diff --git a/tools/goctl/api/new/api.tpl b/tools/goctl/api/new/api.tpl
index 28be510013cf..b6773441cc7c 100644
--- a/tools/goctl/api/new/api.tpl
+++ b/tools/goctl/api/new/api.tpl
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+syntax = "v1"
+
 type Request {
   Name string `path:"name,options=you|me"`
 }