diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 5bdb59e28..50c603bf7 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -29,11 +29,6 @@ set (CMAKE_PROJECT_VERSION_MAJOR ${GTSAM_VERSION_MAJOR})
 set (CMAKE_PROJECT_VERSION_MINOR ${GTSAM_VERSION_MINOR})
 set (CMAKE_PROJECT_VERSION_PATCH ${GTSAM_VERSION_PATCH})
 
-# Enforce c++17 standards
-set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -std=c++17")
-set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
-set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
-
 ###############################################################################
 # Gather information, perform checks, set defaults