diff --git a/.bazelversion b/.bazelversion
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..df56161772
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.bazelversion
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+2.1.1
+# [NB: this comment has to be after the first line, see https://github.com/bazelbuild/bazelisk/issues/117]
+# When updating the Bazel version you also need to update the RBE toolchains version in package.bzl
\ No newline at end of file