diff --git a/jaeger-client/build.gradle b/jaeger-client/build.gradle
index 3badede30..903e8ac4f 100644
--- a/jaeger-client/build.gradle
+++ b/jaeger-client/build.gradle
@@ -2,12 +2,16 @@ description = 'Convenience module to be used by instrumented applications'
 
 dependencies {
     // otherwise, we get the non-shaded version, which will fail at runtime due to missing classes
+    // we want this one to propagate to the final pom that will be used by consumers
     compile group: 'io.jaegertracing', name: 'jaeger-thrift', version: developmentVersion
 
     // for the other projects, we can add the dependency on the projects themselves
+    // we need this for the build
+    compileOnly project(':jaeger-thrift')
     compile project(':jaeger-core')
-    compile project(':jaeger-thrift')
     compile project(':jaeger-tracerresolver')
 
+    // and this for the tests...
+    testCompile project(':jaeger-thrift')
     testCompile group: 'junit', name: 'junit', version: junitVersion
 }