diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index bb57598..ffbfa8e 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.2.0)
 project(catima)
 
 ############ options #############
+option(BUILD_SHARED_LIBS "build as shared library" ON)
 option(PYTHON_MODULE "compile the Catima python module(requires numpy and cython installed)" OFF)
 option(TESTS "build tests" OFF)
 option(EXAMPLES "build examples" OFF)