diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 7cfe0d7a4..d30abece1 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -31,8 +31,12 @@ option(CROSS_COMPILE      "CROSS_COMPILE"     OFF)
 # When ON we try to minimize the amount of memory needed to compile Lean using gcc.
 # We use this flag when compiling at Travis.
 option(CONSERVE_MEMORY    "CONSERVE_MEMORY"   OFF)
-# Place to install emacs related files
-option(EMACS_LIB          "EMACS_LIB"         "emacs")
+
+# emacs site-lisp dir
+set(EMACS_LISP_DIR        "share/emacs/site-lisp/lean" CACHE STRING "emacs site-lisp dir")
+
+message(STATUS "Lean emacs-mode will be installed at "
+  ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/${EMACS_LISP_DIR})
 
 # Added for CTest
 include(CTest)
diff --git a/src/emacs/CMakeLists.txt b/src/emacs/CMakeLists.txt
index 0dadc97f2..d7389f7ec 100644
--- a/src/emacs/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/emacs/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 FILE(GLOB LEAN_MODE_FILES *.el)
-install(FILES ${LEAN_MODE_FILES} DESTINATION ${EMACS_LIB})
+install(FILES ${LEAN_MODE_FILES} DESTINATION ${EMACS_LISP_DIR})