diff --git a/externals/bundles/boost/1.66.0/CMakeLists.txt b/externals/bundles/boost/1.66.0/CMakeLists.txt
index a756fb8933..bbbff15994 100644
--- a/externals/bundles/boost/1.66.0/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/externals/bundles/boost/1.66.0/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -57,6 +57,11 @@ else (WINDOWS)
 
 	endif()
 
+    # Working around CMake defect. Looking for Boost Python can fail.
+    # Looking for Boost Thread always succeeds.
+    # In any case, we find boost and boost python should be there.
+    set (BOOST_COMPONENTS thread)
+
 	# The following is helpful if you are trying to debug cmake find module
     # set (Boost_DEBUG TRUE)
 	message (STATUS "Boost components: ${BOOST_COMPONENTS}" )