diff --git a/ext/cld/extconf.rb b/ext/cld/extconf.rb
index 8f638e6..e79dee8 100644
--- a/ext/cld/extconf.rb
+++ b/ext/cld/extconf.rb
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@
   "internal/cld_generated_score_quad_octa_0122_2.o",
   "thunk.o"]
 
+# Prevents issues compiling with newer GCC versions
+$defs.push("-std=c++98")
+
 if have_library('stdc++')
   create_makefile('libcld2')
 end
@@ -37,4 +40,4 @@
 
   CLEANOBJS := $(CLEANOBJS) internal/*.#{CONFIG["OBJEXT"]}
 EOS
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end