diff --git a/external/.gitignore b/external/.gitignore
index b932b29ce..fcc707458 100644
--- a/external/.gitignore
+++ b/external/.gitignore
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 *
+!CMakeLists.txt
 !CImg
 !CImg/*
 !glm
diff --git a/external/CMakeLists.txt b/external/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..435bcc9ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/external/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#  SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+#
+#  EmulationStation Desktop Edition
+#  CMakeLists.txt (external)
+#
+#  CMake configuration for bundled dependencies built in-tree.
+#
+
+set(BUILD_SHARED_LIBS OFF)
+option(LOTTIE_MODULE OFF)
+add_subdirectory("rlottie")