--- a/cmake/configure
+++ b/cmake/configure
@@ -285,6 +285,9 @@
 }
 if ($NO_SNAPPY) {
     push @CM_OPTIONS, "-DLCB_NO_SNAPPY=1";
+} else {
+    # the cmake options default NO_SNAPPY to ON, so this is necessary
+    push @CM_OPTIONS, "-DLCB_NO_SNAPPY=0";
 }
 if ($STATIC_SNAPPY) {
     push @CM_OPTIONS, "-DLCB_STATIC_SNAPPY";