diff --git a/.github/workflows/go.yml b/.github/workflows/go.yml
index 62b7a36..b40a10c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/go.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/go.yml
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Go
       uses: actions/setup-go@v2
       with:
-        go-version: 1.16
-    
+        go-version: 1.17
+
     - name: Get dependencies
       run: go get -v -t -d ./...
 
@@ -54,4 +54,3 @@ jobs:
       with:
         commit_message: update production style.css
         file_pattern: web/assets/style.css
-
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index fbdc027..2ba76a0 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Unlicense
 
-FROM golang:1.16-alpine
+FROM golang:1.17-alpine
 
 RUN apk add --no-cache \
       build-base \
diff --git a/docs/deployment.md b/docs/deployment.md
index 774c117..143fd10 100644
--- a/docs/deployment.md
+++ b/docs/deployment.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ After running `sudo dpkg -i go-ssb-room_v1.2.3_Linux_x86_64.deb` pay special att
 
 ## Creating a build
 
-* [Download Go](https://golang.org/doc/install) & [set up your Go environment](https://golang.org/doc/install#install). You will need at least Go v1.16.
+* [Download Go](https://golang.org/doc/install) & [set up your Go environment](https://golang.org/doc/install#install). You will need at least Go v1.17.
 * Download the repository `git clone git@github.com:ssbc/go-ssb-room.git && cd go-ssb-room`
 * [Follow the development instructions](./development.md)
 * You should now have a working go-ssb-room binary! Read the HTTP Hosting section below and admin
@@ -163,6 +163,8 @@ If you installed the Debian package, you will first need to install Go to build
 sudo apt-get install golang-go
 ```
 
+(**WARNING**: please check that `golang-go` is >= 1.17 and if not, you may need to use the [official installation documentation](https://go.dev/dl/) instead. `go-ssb-room` requires at least Go 1.17.)
+
 In a new terminal window navigate to the insert-user utility folder and compile the GO-based utility into an executable your computer can use
 
 ```
diff --git a/docs/development.md b/docs/development.md
index 3792f6d..d27fe18 100644
--- a/docs/development.md
+++ b/docs/development.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: CC0-1.0
 
 ## Development notes
 
-To get started, you need a recent version of [Go](https://golang.org). v1.16 and onward should be sufficient.
+To get started, you need a recent version of [Go](https://golang.org). v1.17 and onward should be sufficient.
 
 Also, if you want to develop the CSS and HTML on the website, you need Node.js v14 in order to compile Tailwind.