diff --git a/samples/CMakeLists.txt b/samples/CMakeLists.txt
index af617a435..fad57dc4c 100644
--- a/samples/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/samples/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -10,3 +10,8 @@ endforeach()
 
 set( GRIB_API_SAMPLES_DIR   ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR} PARENT_SCOPE )
 set( GRIB_API_SAMPLES_FILES ${GRIB_API_SAMPLES_FILES}   PARENT_SCOPE )
+
+# copy the samples to the build directory
+
+file(    COPY ${samples_files}
+		 DESTINATION ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/share/${PROJECT_NAME}/samples )