diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/opencv/4.x.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/opencv/4.x.nix
index fc2432d6bc94d..447bf2fd82ff4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/opencv/4.x.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/opencv/4.x.nix
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
   glib,
   glog,
   gflags,
-  protobuf_21,
+  protobuf,
   config,
   ocl-icd,
   qimgv,
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ effectiveStdenv.mkDerivation {
       glib
       glog
       pcre2
-      protobuf_21
+      protobuf
       zlib
     ]
     ++ optionals enablePython [
@@ -468,6 +468,7 @@ effectiveStdenv.mkDerivation {
       (cmakeBool "OPENCV_GENERATE_PKGCONFIG" true)
       (cmakeBool "WITH_OPENMP" true)
       (cmakeBool "BUILD_PROTOBUF" false)
+      (cmakeFeature "CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD" "17") # required to enable protobuf
       (cmakeBool "WITH_PROTOBUF" true)
       (cmakeBool "PROTOBUF_UPDATE_FILES" true)
       (cmakeBool "OPENCV_ENABLE_NONFREE" enableUnfree)