diff --git a/.bazelrc b/.bazelrc
index 379fc8328..7f87e94b1 100644
--- a/.bazelrc
+++ b/.bazelrc
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+# Build with C++17.
+build --cxxopt=-std=c++17
+
 # Display the current git revision in the info block.
 build --stamp --workspace_status_command tools/workspace_status.sh
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5ac6f9046..de3e06f4e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -48,9 +48,10 @@ Make sure the following dependencies are installed:
 
 *   Linux 4.14.77+ ([older linux][old-linux])
 *   [git][git]
-*   [Bazel][bazel] 0.28.0+
+*   [Bazel][bazel] 1.2+
 *   [Python][python]
 *   [Docker version 17.09.0 or greater][docker]
+*   C++ toolchain supporting C++17 (GCC 7+, Clang 5+)
 *   Gold linker (e.g. `binutils-gold` package on Ubuntu)
 
 ### Building