diff --git a/build/cmake/BoostMacros.cmake b/build/cmake/BoostMacros.cmake
index 0c7f13d..61be622 100644
--- a/build/cmake/BoostMacros.cmake
+++ b/build/cmake/BoostMacros.cmake
@@ -19,14 +19,22 @@
 
 set(BOOST_MINREV 1.53)
 
+# we are not ready for the new style link targets introduced in
+# boost 1.70.0 and cmake 3.14.2 which showed up on appveyor in
+# mingw builds
+set(Boost_NO_BOOST_CMAKE ON)
+
 macro(REQUIRE_BOOST_HEADERS)
   find_package(Boost ${BOOST_MINREV} QUIET REQUIRED)
   if (NOT Boost_FOUND)
     string(CONCAT fatal_message
-	    "Boost 1.53 or later is required to build sources in ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}")
+        "Boost ${BOOST_MINREV} or later is required to build sources in ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}")
     message(FATAL_ERROR, ${fatal_message})
   endif()
-  include_directories(SYSTEM "${Boost_INCLUDE_DIRS}")
+  if (DEFINED Boost_INCLUDE_DIRS)
+    # pre-boost 1.70.0 aware cmake, otherwise it is using targets
+    include_directories(SYSTEM "${Boost_INCLUDE_DIRS}")
+  endif()
 endmacro()
 
 macro(REQUIRE_BOOST_LIBRARIES libs)
@@ -34,7 +42,7 @@
   find_package(Boost ${BOOST_MINREV} REQUIRED COMPONENTS ${${libs}})
   if (NOT Boost_FOUND)
     string(CONCAT fatal_message
-	    "Boost 1.53 or later is required to build sources in ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}, "
+        "Boost ${BOOST_MINREV} or later is required to build sources in ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}, "
 	    "or use -DBUILD_TESTING=OFF")
     message(FATAL_ERROR, ${fatal_message})
   endif()