diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 020368720..6f17b6854 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ PROJECT(CYCAMORE VERSION 1.5.5)
 
 # check for and enable c++11 support (required for cyclus)
 INCLUDE(CheckCXXCompilerFlag)
-CHECK_CXX_COMPILER_FLAG("-std=c++11" COMPILER_SUPPORTS_CXX11)
-IF(COMPILER_SUPPORTS_CXX11)
-    SET(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -std=c++11")
+CHECK_CXX_COMPILER_FLAG("-std=c++17" COMPILER_SUPPORTS_CXX17)
+IF(COMPILER_SUPPORTS_CXX17)
+    SET(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -std=c++17")
 ELSE()
-    MESSAGE(STATUS "The compiler ${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER} has no C++11 support. Please use a different C++ compiler.")
+    MESSAGE(STATUS "The compiler ${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER} has no C++17 support. Please use a different C++ compiler.")
 ENDIF()
 
 # quiets fortify_source warnings when not compiling with optimizations