diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 05f663ccf..cd2f9d4bb 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ endif()
 project(FESOM2.0)
 option(BUILD_SHARED_LIBS "Build using shared libraries" OFF) # cmake-internal switch to toggle if library targets are being build as STATIC or SHARED, see https://cmake.org/cmake/help/latest/guide/tutorial/Selecting%20Static%20or%20Shared%20Libraries.html
 set(TOPLEVEL_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR})
-set(FESOM_COUPLED ON CACHE BOOL "compile fesom standalone or with oasis support (i.e. coupled)")
+set(FESOM_COUPLED OFF CACHE BOOL "compile fesom standalone or with oasis support (i.e. coupled)")
 set(OIFS_COUPLED OFF CACHE BOOL "compile fesom coupled to OpenIFS. (Also needs FESOM_COUPLED to work)")
 set(CRAY OFF CACHE BOOL "compile with cray ftn")
 set(USE_ICEPACK OFF CACHE BOOL "compile fesom with the Iceapck modules for sea ice column physics.")