diff --git a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
index 93e6c4849f..cd98808762 100644
--- a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -114,6 +114,9 @@ endif()
 if(NOT CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD)
   set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 11)
 endif()
+if(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD LESS 11)
+  message(FATAL_ERROR "C++ standard must be set to at least 11")
+endif()
 if(PKG_KOKKOS AND (CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD LESS 14))
   set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 14)
 endif()