diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index c663745d47..d239aef161 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -7,6 +7,16 @@ list(APPEND CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/cmake")
 
 # Setup the project
 project(pyne)
+
+# check for and enable c++11 support
+INCLUDE(CheckCXXCompilerFlag)
+CHECK_CXX_COMPILER_FLAG("-std=c++11" COMPILER_SUPPORTS_CXX11)
+IF(COMPILER_SUPPORTS_CXX11)
+    SET(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -std=c++11")
+ELSE()
+    MESSAGE(STATUS "The compiler ${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER} has no C++11 support. Please use a different C++ compiler.")
+ENDIF()
+
 include(PyneMacros)
 pyne_print_logo()  # Beware of dragons
 pyne_set_platform()