diff --git a/third_party/CMakeLists.txt b/third_party/CMakeLists.txt
index 57c1e46..8730617 100644
--- a/third_party/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/third_party/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -5,7 +5,11 @@ endif ()
 
 add_subdirectory(glad)
 add_subdirectory(imcore)
-add_subdirectory(stb)
+if (TARGET stb)
+  message(STATUS "stb already found, project will use the existing target")
+else ()
+  add_subdirectory(stb)
+endif ()
 if (BUILD_TESTING)
   if (TARGET gtest)
     message(STATUS "GoogleTest already found, project will use the existing target")