diff --git a/cmake/ConkyBuildOptions.cmake b/cmake/ConkyBuildOptions.cmake
index 0b2e0e22..ee4a33c0 100644
--- a/cmake/ConkyBuildOptions.cmake
+++ b/cmake/ConkyBuildOptions.cmake
@@ -207,6 +207,11 @@ else(BUILD_X11)
   set(BUILD_NVIDIA false)
 endif(BUILD_X11)
 
+# if we build with any GUI support
+if(BUILD_X11)
+  set(BUILD_GUI true)
+endif(BUILD_X11)
+
 if(OWN_WINDOW)
   option(BUILD_ARGB "Build ARGB (real transparency) support" true)
 else(OWN_WINDOW)
diff --git a/cmake/config.h.in b/cmake/config.h.in
index f2411517..b7fae0ce 100644
--- a/cmake/config.h.in
+++ b/cmake/config.h.in
@@ -113,6 +113,8 @@
 
 #cmakedefine BUILD_HTTP 1
 
+#cmakedefine BUILD_GUI 1
+
 #cmakedefine BUILD_ICONV 1
 
 #cmakedefine BUILD_LUA_CAIRO 1