diff --git a/cpp/CMakeLists.txt b/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
index 25ee402217..515fd60a39 100644
--- a/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -339,6 +339,10 @@ Imported Targets:
 set(code_string
 [=[
 
+if(NOT TARGET raft::Thrust)
+  thrust_create_target(raft::Thrust FROM_OPTIONS)
+endif()
+
 if(distance IN_LIST raft_FIND_COMPONENTS)
   enable_language(CUDA)
 endif()