add_library(foo UNKNOWN IMPORTED) add_library(bar UNKNOWN IMPORTED) set_property(TARGET foo APPEND PROPERTY COMPATIBLE_INTERFACE_BOOL INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES) set_property(TARGET foo PROPERTY INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES ON) set_property(TARGET bar PROPERTY INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES ON) add_executable(user main.cpp) set_property(TARGET user PROPERTY INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES OFF) target_link_libraries(user foo bar)