diff --git a/Installation/CMakeLists.txt b/Installation/CMakeLists.txt
index 888722191db..57b24fce8a7 100644
--- a/Installation/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/Installation/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -524,7 +524,10 @@ set_special_prefix(Coin3D COIN3D)
 
 # some libraries are essential (stl and Boost.Thread are treated in another way) 
 if("$ENV{CGAL_DISABLE_GMP}" OR CGAL_DISABLE_GMP)
-  list(REMOVE_ITEM CGAL_ESSENTIAL_3RD_PARTY_LIBRARIES GMP MPFR)
+  list(LENGTH CGAL_ESSENTIAL_3RD_PARTY_LIBRARIES CGAL_ESSENTIAL_LENGTH)
+  if(NOT CGAL_ESSENTIAL_LENGTH EQUAL 0)
+    list(REMOVE_ITEM CGAL_ESSENTIAL_3RD_PARTY_LIBRARIES GMP MPFR)
+  endif()
   unset(CGAL_CONFIGURED_LIBRARIES)
   unset(CGAL_CONFIGURED_LIBRARIES CACHE)
   unset(GMP_FOUND)