diff --git a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
index 41854313c2..452a50c84f 100644
--- a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -744,7 +744,7 @@ else()
 endif()
 
 if (NOT onnxruntime_MINIMAL_BUILD)
-  add_subdirectory(external/onnx)
+  add_subdirectory(external/onnx EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL)
 else()
   include(onnx_minimal)
 endif()