diff --git a/cmake/QtPluginHelpers.cmake b/cmake/QtPluginHelpers.cmake
index 497ccc0e89e..b3482ee1ef9 100644
--- a/cmake/QtPluginHelpers.cmake
+++ b/cmake/QtPluginHelpers.cmake
@@ -150,11 +150,15 @@ function(qt_internal_add_plugin target)
       endif()
     endif()
 
-    add_dependencies(qt_plugins "${target}")
+    if(TARGET qt_plugins)
+        add_dependencies(qt_plugins "${target}")
+    endif()
     if(arg_TYPE STREQUAL "platforms")
-        add_dependencies(qpa_plugins "${target}")
+        if(TARGET qpa_plugins)
+            add_dependencies(qpa_plugins "${target}")
+        endif()
 
-        if(_default_plugin)
+        if(_default_plugin AND TARGET qpa_default_plugins)
             add_dependencies(qpa_default_plugins "${target}")
         endif()
     endif()
diff --git a/src/plugins/sqldrivers/CMakeLists.txt b/src/plugins/sqldrivers/CMakeLists.txt
index e11840d1822..6de087839e8 100644
--- a/src/plugins/sqldrivers/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/plugins/sqldrivers/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -16,9 +16,6 @@ if (NOT CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME STREQUAL "QtBase" AND NOT CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME STREQUAL
         Sql
      )
     qt_prepare_standalone_project()
-
-    # needed by qt_internal_add_plugin
-    add_custom_target(qt_plugins)
 else()
     qt_internal_upgrade_cmake_policies()
 endif()