diff --git a/examples/plugins/CMakeLists.txt b/examples/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
index 8771b29121..60cbd01d73 100644
--- a/examples/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/examples/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -42,8 +42,28 @@ else()
   endif()
 endif()
 
-# C++11 is required
-set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 11)
+# we *require* C++11 without extensions but prefer C++17.
+# Kokkos requires at least C++17 (currently)
+if(NOT CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD)
+  if(cxx_std_17 IN_LIST CMAKE_CXX_COMPILE_FEATURES)
+    set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
+  else()
+    set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 11)
+  endif()
+endif()
+if(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD LESS 11)
+  message(FATAL_ERROR "C++ standard must be set to at least 11")
+endif()
+if(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD LESS 17)
+  message(WARNING "Selecting C++17 standard is preferred over C++${CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD}")
+endif()
+if(PKG_KOKKOS AND (CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD LESS 17))
+  set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
+endif()
+# turn off C++17 check in lmptype.h
+if(LAMMPS_CXX11)
+  add_compile_definitions(LAMMPS_CXX11)
+endif()
 set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
 
 # Need -restrict with Intel compilers