diff --git a/libs/protobuf-c/Makefile b/libs/protobuf-c/Makefile
index 0a54ea2a64..42d48269dc 100644
--- a/libs/protobuf-c/Makefile
+++ b/libs/protobuf-c/Makefile
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ endef
 
 CMAKE_HOST_OPTIONS += \
 	-DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON \
+	-DCMAKE_CXX_STANDARD=11 \
 	-DCMAKE_SKIP_RPATH=OFF \
 	-DCMAKE_INSTALL_RPATH="${STAGING_DIR_HOSTPKG}/lib"