diff --git a/rosidl_runtime_c/CMakeLists.txt b/rosidl_runtime_c/CMakeLists.txt
index 74351ae75..e0ceff419 100644
--- a/rosidl_runtime_c/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/rosidl_runtime_c/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ if(NOT CMAKE_C_STANDARD)
   set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD 11)
 endif()
 
+# Default to C++17
+if(NOT CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD)
+  set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
+  set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
+endif()
+
 if(CMAKE_COMPILER_IS_GNUCC OR CMAKE_C_COMPILER_ID MATCHES "Clang")
   add_compile_options(-Wall -Wextra -Wpedantic)
 endif()