diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 838cc4c60..fa2aef11b 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -791,6 +791,7 @@ if(ENABLE_LTO_BUILD)
 endif()
 
 libical_option(LIBICAL_BUILD_TESTING "Build tests." True)
+libical_option(LIBICAL_BUILD_EXAMPLES "Build examples." True)
 
 ################# build subdirs ########################