diff --git a/cpp/CMakeLists.txt b/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
index cdd7a0813..bc481ea21 100644
--- a/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -106,7 +106,8 @@ if (USE_ALTERNATE_FORMATS)
 endif ()
 
 # Find all the required libraries and programs.
-find_package(absl)
+# Use "CONFIG" as there is no built-in cmake module for absl.
+find_package(absl CONFIG REQUIRED)
 
 if(NOT absl_FOUND)
   # Overide abseil install rules for subprojects
diff --git a/cpp/cmake/config.cmake.in b/cpp/cmake/config.cmake.in
index 05f915659..2cf7fc9bb 100644
--- a/cpp/cmake/config.cmake.in
+++ b/cpp/cmake/config.cmake.in
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 include(CMakeFindDependencyMacro)
 
-find_dependency(absl)
+find_dependency(absl CONFIG)
 find_dependency(Protobuf)
 
 include("${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/@targets_export_name@.cmake")