diff --git a/bin/templates/project/cordova.gradle b/bin/templates/project/cordova.gradle
index ec597b2f..cf2dacad 100644
--- a/bin/templates/project/cordova.gradle
+++ b/bin/templates/project/cordova.gradle
@@ -115,6 +115,6 @@ String getAndroidSdkDir() {
     androidSdkDir
 }
 
-cordovaSdkVersion =  System.env.MIN_SDK_VERSION ?: getProjectTarget("android-19")
-cordovaBuildToolsVersion = latestBuildToolsAvailable("19.1.0")
+ext.cordovaSdkVersion =  System.env.MIN_SDK_VERSION ?: getProjectTarget("android-19")
+ext.cordovaBuildToolsVersion = latestBuildToolsAvailable("19.1.0")