diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index a3088267b87a..827617a4be44 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.0)
+
 cmake_policy(SET CMP0025 NEW)
+cmake_policy(SET CMP0048 OLD) # don't touch PROJECT_VERSION/VERSION
 
 project(darktable CXX C)