diff --git a/python/CMakeLists.txt b/python/CMakeLists.txt
index 55812e0f6..9cd039cf8 100644
--- a/python/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/python/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ if (OPENGL_FOUND)
   include_directories("../external/nanogui/ext/nanovg/src")
   list(APPEND SHARED_LIBRARIES "nanogui" ${OPENGL_LIBRARIES})
 
+  list(APPEND SHARED_SOURCES "py_igl_viewer.cpp")
+
 endif (OPENGL_FOUND)
 # include comiso if available
 
@@ -148,7 +150,6 @@ add_library(igl SHARED
   py_vector.cpp
   py_igl.cpp
   py_doc.cpp
-  py_igl_viewer.cpp
   ${SHARED_SOURCES}
 )
 
diff --git a/python/python.cpp b/python/python.cpp
index f81fa6c34..b86a69f08 100644
--- a/python/python.cpp
+++ b/python/python.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,10 @@
 
 extern void python_export_vector(py::module &);
 extern void python_export_igl(py::module &);
+
+#ifdef PY_VIEWER
 extern void python_export_igl_viewer(py::module &);
+#endif
 
 #ifdef PY_COMISO
 extern void python_export_igl_comiso(py::module &);
@@ -17,7 +20,11 @@ PYTHON_PLUGIN(igl) {
 
     python_export_vector(m);
     python_export_igl(m);
+
+
+    #ifdef PY_VIEWER
     python_export_igl_viewer(m);
+    #endif
 
     #ifdef PY_COMISO
     python_export_igl_comiso(m);