diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 44376dd0a2df8b0c708ecbf208da60d55715d0d7..67cf1d8afb5b65ba3783d81c99970ce79100acae 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ INCLUDE (${CMAKE_ROOT}/Modules/CMakeBackwardCompatibilityCXX.cmake)
 
 OPTION(BUILD_TESTING  "Build testing." OFF)
 OPTION(BUILD_EXAMPLES "Build the Examples directory." OFF)
-OPTION(BUILD_APPLICATIONS "Build applications" OFF)
+OPTION(BUILD_APPLICATIONS "Build applications" ON)
 OPTION(BUILD_BUG_TRACKER_TESTS "Build failing tests showing bugs" OFF)
 MARK_AS_ADVANCED(BUILD_BUG_TRACKER_TESTS)
 INCLUDE(${CMAKE_ROOT}/Modules/Dart.cmake)