diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 415df32..9b4cfd5 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
 ########################################################################################################################
 ### dependencies and options
 
-ecbuild_bundle( PROJECT share    GIT "https://github.com/ecmwf/metkit-configs"    BRANCH main UPDATE)
+if (NOT EXISTS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/share")
+  ecbuild_bundle( PROJECT share    GIT "https://github.com/ecmwf/metkit-configs"    BRANCH main UPDATE)
+endif()
 
 ecbuild_add_option( FEATURE BUILD_TOOLS
                     DEFAULT ON