diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 0ca03d4a1..f9c66021b 100755
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -33,7 +33,11 @@ else()
     set(CONF_DIR "etc/" CACHE STRING "Path to the configs, can be absolute or relative.")
 endif()
 option(DEBUG                "Debug mode (strict compile, all warnings)"     OFF)
-option(ACE_USE_EXTERNAL     "Use external ACE"                              OFF)
+if (WIN32)
+    option(ACE_USE_EXTERNAL     "Use external ACE"                              OFF)
+else()
+    option(ACE_USE_EXTERNAL     "Use external ACE"                              ON)
+endif()
 option(POSTGRESQL           "Use PostgreSQL instead of MySQL"               OFF)
 option(BUILD_MANGOSD        "Build the main server"                         ON)
 option(BUILD_REALMD         "Build the login server"                        ON)