diff --git a/ext/CMakeLists.txt b/ext/CMakeLists.txt
index cc819307a6..135d557c33 100644
--- a/ext/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/ext/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-add_subdirectory(core)
+add_subdirectory(core EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL)
 
 set(KDDockWidgets_STATIC ON CACHE INTERNAL "Force KDDockWidgets to build statically")
 set(KDDockWidgets_QT6 ${BUILD_QT6} CACHE INTERNAL "Conform KDDockWidgets' Qt 6 setting to ours")
-add_subdirectory(KDDockWidgets)
+add_subdirectory(KDDockWidgets EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL)