diff --git a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
index 65e166aad2..1fdc77a362 100644
--- a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@
 ################################################################################
 
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.21)
+if (NOT DEFINED CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD)
+    set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
+endif()
+if (CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD LESS 17)
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "C++17 or newer is required.")
+endif()
 set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON) # not necessary, but encouraged
 set(CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS ON)