diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b58be712a..8f4dd2eb6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,4 +28,4 @@ Please note that this project is released with a [Contributor Code of Conduct](h
 
 # License
 
-Mapnik software is free and is released under the LGPL ([GNU Lesser General Public License](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html)). Please see [COPYING](https://github.com/mapnik/mapnik/blob/master/COPYING) for more information.
+Mapnik software is free and is released under the LGPL v2.1 ([GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/lgpl-2.1.html)). Please see [COPYING](https://github.com/mapnik/mapnik/blob/master/COPYING) for more information.