diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 50c603bf7..5bdb59e28 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -29,6 +29,11 @@ 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