diff --git a/build-constraints.yaml b/build-constraints.yaml
index 0059e0ac..6831f162 100644
--- a/build-constraints.yaml
+++ b/build-constraints.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,10 @@
 ghc-major-version: "8.0"
+
+# This affects which version of the Cabal file format we allow. We
+# should ensure that this is always no greater than the version
+# supported by the most recent cabal-install and Stack releases.
+cabal-format-version: "1.24"
+
 # Constraints for brand new builds
 packages:
     "Jacob Stanley <jacob@stanley.io> @jystic":