diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 4f2fc25d2..e82e353e0 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -357,8 +357,10 @@ endif()
 # --------------------------------------------------------
 # ecal rec addon sdk
 # --------------------------------------------------------
+if (BUILD_APPS)
 add_subdirectory(app/rec/rec_addon_core)
 add_subdirectory(app/rec/rec_addon_dummy)
+endif()
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------
 # ecal time