diff --git a/include/openthread/Makefile.am b/include/openthread/Makefile.am
index b1b5d5eaa..5ae48d574 100644
--- a/include/openthread/Makefile.am
+++ b/include/openthread/Makefile.am
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ openthread_headers                      = \
     coap_secure.h                         \
     coap.h                                \
     commissioner.h                        \
-    config.h                              \
     crypto.h                              \
     border_agent.h                        \
     border_router.h                       \
@@ -93,6 +92,10 @@ dist_openthread_HEADERS = $(openthread_headers)
 include_HEADERS                         = \
     $(NULL)
 
+noinst_HEADERS                          = \
+    config.h                              \
+    $(NULL)
+
 install-headers: install-includeHEADERS
 
 include $(abs_top_nlbuild_autotools_dir)/automake/post.am