diff --git a/esma.cmake b/esma.cmake
index 2e76d3d2..d6c6f7e0 100644
--- a/esma.cmake
+++ b/esma.cmake
@@ -78,3 +78,8 @@ include (FindBaselibs)
 
 enable_testing()
 set (CMAKE_INSTALL_MESSAGE LAZY)
+
+# This is a "stub" macro to detect building within an ESMA project (for MAPL standalone)
+macro (esma)
+
+endmacro ()