diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 9226200b..b096e4e2 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ option(FMT_WERROR "Halt the compilation with an error on compiler warnings."
 
 # Options that control generation of various targets.
 option(FMT_DOC "Generate the doc target." ${FMT_MASTER_PROJECT})
-option(FMT_INSTALL "Generate the install target." ${FMT_MASTER_PROJECT})
+option(FMT_INSTALL "Generate the install target." ON)
 option(FMT_TEST "Generate the test target." ${FMT_MASTER_PROJECT})
 option(FMT_FUZZ "Generate the fuzz target." OFF)
 option(FMT_CUDA_TEST "Generate the cuda-test target." OFF)