diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 65e78ffe..837b4939 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -3,14 +3,6 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 2.8.7)
 
 project(bcc)
-if(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
-  set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Release)
-endif()
-
-if(CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX_INITIALIZED_TO_DEFAULT)
-  set(CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX "/usr" CACHE PATH "path to install" FORCE)
-endif()
-
 enable_testing()
 
 # populate submodules (libbpf)