diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/cli11/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/cli11/package.py
index 74b0b979f3e..be1a516da0b 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/cli11/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/cli11/package.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ class Cli11(CMakePackage):
 
     def cmake_args(self):
         args = [
+            '-DCLI11_BUILD_EXAMPLES=OFF',
             '-DCLI11_BUILD_DOCS=OFF',
             '-DCLI11_BUILD_TESTS=OFF',
         ]