diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index bac09da63d5fd848d8443ed98680a898cfb80042..83e8aba18b8a68c76401b5ebd94aa5ee27c67826 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ that users understand how the changes affect the new version.
 
 version 2.2.0-dev
 ---------------------------
++ Increase default memory of BWA mem to 32G (was 16G).
 + Add `memory` input to fastqc task.
 + Centrifuge: Fix issue where centrifuge would fail on incorrect paths.
 + Added GATK CNV calling tasks:
diff --git a/bwa.wdl b/bwa.wdl
index b0b1daf753377237c4d7f333ab6feee57b79b034..655cd28825af6d5c1be235b453fb3d591439ce08 100644
--- a/bwa.wdl
+++ b/bwa.wdl
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ task Mem {
         String? readgroup
 
         Int threads = 2
-        String memory = "16G"
+        String memory = "32G"
         String picardXmx = "4G"
         # A mulled container is needed to have both picard and bwa in one container.
         # This container contains: picard (2.18.7), bwa (0.7.17-r1188)