diff --git a/.bazelrc b/.bazelrc
index 94cfb93350..3b915864ce 100644
--- a/.bazelrc
+++ b/.bazelrc
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ test --test_output=errors
 # Python targets as required.
 build --incompatible_default_to_explicit_init_py
 
+# Ensure ongoing compatibility with this flag.
+common --incompatible_disallow_struct_provider_syntax
+
 # Windows makes use of runfiles for some rules
 build --enable_runfiles
 
diff --git a/MODULE.bazel b/MODULE.bazel
index 53d845ed88..d55b4b58e7 100644
--- a/MODULE.bazel
+++ b/MODULE.bazel
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ bazel_dep(name = "platforms", version = "0.0.4")
 
 # Those are loaded only when using py_proto_library
 bazel_dep(name = "rules_proto", version = "6.0.0-rc1")
-bazel_dep(name = "protobuf", version = "21.7", repo_name = "com_google_protobuf")
+bazel_dep(name = "protobuf", version = "23.1", repo_name = "com_google_protobuf")
 
 internal_deps = use_extension("//python/private/bzlmod:internal_deps.bzl", "internal_deps")
 use_repo(