diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index b08e426f7..961b1a88a 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -100,11 +100,10 @@
 # 2021-08-28 PH increased minimum version
 # 2021-08-28 PH added test for realpath()
 
-PROJECT(PCRE2 C)
-
 # Increased minimum to 2.8.5 to support GNUInstallDirs.
 # Increased minimum to 3.1 to support imported targets.
 CMAKE_MINIMUM_REQUIRED(VERSION 3.1)
+PROJECT(PCRE2 C)
 
 # Set policy CMP0026 to avoid warnings for the use of LOCATION in
 # GET_TARGET_PROPERTY. This should no longer be required.