diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index b0be6bd514..44e01f5724 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@ if(OPENCV_WORKAROUND_CMAKE_20989)
   set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR ${CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR_BACKUP})
 endif()
 
+# Enable generic ASM at top-level scope: enable_language(ASM) from a subdir fails
+# (CMAKE_ASM_COMPILE_OBJECT unset) once ASM_NASM is enabled. Skip on Android (NDK).
+if(NOT ANDROID AND NOT CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Android")
+  include(CheckLanguage)
+  check_language(ASM)
+  if(CMAKE_ASM_COMPILER)
+    enable_language(ASM)
+  endif()
+endif()
+
 enable_testing()
 
 ocv_cmake_hook(POST_CMAKE_BOOTSTRAP)