diff --git a/cpp/CMakeLists.txt b/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
index 0319494577..128bf29ce0 100644
--- a/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -38,4 +38,7 @@ endif()
 
 add_subdirectory(cmd)
 add_subdirectory(core)
-add_subdirectory(gui)
+
+if(MRTRIX_BUILD_GUI)
+    add_subdirectory(gui)
+endif()