diff --git a/runtimes/cpu/BUILD.bazel b/runtimes/cpu/BUILD.bazel
index 40760fd..04156da 100644
--- a/runtimes/cpu/BUILD.bazel
+++ b/runtimes/cpu/BUILD.bazel
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ config_setting(
 
 cc_library(
     name = "empty",
+    defines = ["ZML_RUNTIME_CPU_DISABLED"],
 )
 
 copy_to_directory(