diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index bfbb92bf7e6e55974465f3177ddaaff3c2b64373..8df5ebb87331e0c563fa5d7d4554c66cdc6bddd9 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ ENDIF(CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX_INITIALIZED_TO_DEFAULT)
 option(DD4HEP_USE_XERCESC "Enable 'Detector Builders' based on XercesC" OFF)
 option(DD4HEP_USE_PYROOT "Enable 'Detector Builders' based on PyROOT" OFF)  # does not work (compile error)
 option(DD4HEP_USE_GEANT4 "Enable the simulation part based on Geant4" OFF)
+option(DD4HEP_USE_BOOST "build with boost - needed only if built with Geant4" OFF)
 option(DD4HEP_USE_GEAR "Build gear wrapper for backward compatibility" OFF)
 option(DD4HEP_USE_LCIO "Build lcio extensions" OFF)