diff --git a/src/core/CMakeLists.txt b/src/core/CMakeLists.txt
index 36281395a..bd4537d31 100644
--- a/src/core/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/core/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -233,12 +233,14 @@ target_sources(openthread-radio PRIVATE
     utils/parse_cmdline.cpp
 )
 
-target_link_libraries(openthread-ftd
-    PUBLIC
-        mbedcrypto
-)
+if(OT_BUILTIN_MBEDTLS)
+    target_link_libraries(openthread-ftd
+        PUBLIC
+            mbedcrypto
+    )
 
-target_link_libraries(openthread-mtd
-    PUBLIC
-        mbedcrypto
-)
+    target_link_libraries(openthread-mtd
+        PUBLIC
+            mbedcrypto
+    )
+endif()