diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 64ecf6a..f64aed3 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -66,14 +66,9 @@ if(BUILD_WAYWALLEN)
     add_subdirectory(waywallen)
 endif()
 
-pkg_check_modules(GLFW IMPORTED_TARGET glfw3)
-option(BUILD_VIEWER "Build the GLFW standalone viewer" ${GLFW_FOUND})
+option(BUILD_VIEWER "Build the GLFW standalone viewer" OFF)
 if((BUILD_WESCENE AND BUILD_VIEWER) OR (BUILD_WEWEB AND BUILD_VIEWER))
-    if(NOT GLFW_FOUND)
-        message(FATAL_ERROR
-            "Need glfw3 for any standalone viewer. Install glfw3 "
-            "development headers or set BUILD_VIEWER=OFF and BUILD_WEWEB=OFF.")
-    endif()
+    pkg_check_modules(GLFW REQUIRED IMPORTED_TARGET glfw3)
     add_subdirectory(viewer)
 endif()