diff --git a/ports/esp32/CMakeLists.txt b/ports/esp32/CMakeLists.txt
index fa419202f..29409adc7 100644
--- a/ports/esp32/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/ports/esp32/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Top-level cmake file for building MicroPython on ESP32.
 
-cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.5)
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.12)
 
 # Set the location of this port's directory.
 set(MICROPY_PORT_DIR ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR})