diff --git a/options.cmake b/options.cmake
index b3f76fc..dd24c85 100644
--- a/options.cmake
+++ b/options.cmake
@@ -16,3 +16,7 @@ set_property(DIRECTORY PROPERTY EP_UPDATE_DISCONNECTED true)
 
 # Necessary for shared library with Visual Studio / Windows oneAPI
 set(CMAKE_WINDOWS_EXPORT_ALL_SYMBOLS true)
+
+if(h5fortran_IS_TOP_LEVEL AND CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX_INITIALIZED_TO_DEFAULT)
+  set_property(CACHE CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX PROPERTY VALUE "${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/local")
+endif()