diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index f791390c680..0db6607fdb3 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -39,6 +39,15 @@ if(NOT CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR STREQUAL PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR)
   option(ABSL_ENABLE_INSTALL "Enable install rule" OFF)
 else()
   option(ABSL_ENABLE_INSTALL "Enable install rule" ON)
+  if(NOT DEFINED CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD)
+    set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 14)
+    set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
+    message("CXX standard set to 14.")
+  endif()  
+endif()
+
+if(NOT DEFINED CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD OR CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD LESS 14)
+  message(FATAL_ERROR "Abseil requires at least C++14.")
 endif()
 
 set(CMAKE_INSTALL_RPATH "$ORIGIN")