diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b02e96678f4..39baf1b9326 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ Note: Upstart/SysV init based OS types are not supported.
   - [argocd](https://argoproj.github.io/) v2.4.7
   - [helm](https://helm.sh/) v3.9.2
   - [metallb](https://metallb.universe.tf/)  v0.12.1
-  - [registry](https://github.com/distribution/distribution) v2.7.1
+  - [registry](https://github.com/distribution/distribution) v2.8.1
 - Storage Plugin
   - [cephfs-provisioner](https://github.com/kubernetes-incubator/external-storage) v2.1.0-k8s1.11
   - [rbd-provisioner](https://github.com/kubernetes-incubator/external-storage) v2.1.1-k8s1.11
diff --git a/roles/download/defaults/main.yml b/roles/download/defaults/main.yml
index e3e8da98b51..cf8410b8c4d 100644
--- a/roles/download/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/download/defaults/main.yml
@@ -910,7 +910,7 @@ dnsautoscaler_version: 1.8.5
 dnsautoscaler_image_repo: "{{ kube_image_repo }}/cpa/cluster-proportional-autoscaler-{{ image_arch }}"
 dnsautoscaler_image_tag: "{{ dnsautoscaler_version }}"
 
-registry_version: "2.7.1"
+registry_version: "2.8.1"
 registry_image_repo: "{{ docker_image_repo }}/library/registry"
 registry_image_tag: "{{ registry_version }}"
 metrics_server_version: "v0.6.1"