diff --git a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
index b157cd56eb..a63ed10bb5 100644
--- a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -17,7 +17,11 @@
 #                                                                              #
 ################################################################################
 
-cmake_minimum_required (VERSION 2.8.5)
+# cmake_minimum_required (VERSION 2.8.5)
+
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.1.3)
+set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 11)
+set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)  # not necessary, but encouraged
 
 project (IfcOpenShell)