diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index ead8b8bc9..e605de9d8 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ add_subdirectory(benchmarks)
 add_subdirectory(boot)
 add_subdirectory(canutils)
 add_subdirectory(crypto)
-add_subdirectory(examples)
 add_subdirectory(fsutils)
 add_subdirectory(games)
 add_subdirectory(gpsutils)
@@ -63,6 +62,8 @@ add_subdirectory(system)
 add_subdirectory(testing)
 add_subdirectory(wireless)
 
+# add examples and external at the end to allow library dependencies
+add_subdirectory(examples)
 if(EXISTS ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/external)
   add_subdirectory(external)
 endif()