diff --git a/c-ares-config.cmake.in b/c-ares-config.cmake.in
--- a/c-ares-config.cmake.in
+++ b/c-ares-config.cmake.in
@@ -8,12 +8,16 @@ include("${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/c-ares-targets.cmake")
 set(c-ares_LIBRARY c-ares::cares)
 
 if(@CARES_SHARED@)
+	if(NOT TARGET c-ares::cares_shared)
 	add_library(c-ares::cares_shared INTERFACE IMPORTED)
 	set_target_properties(c-ares::cares_shared PROPERTIES INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES "c-ares::cares")
+	endif()
 	set(c-ares_SHARED_LIBRARY c-ares::cares_shared)
 elseif(@CARES_STATIC@)
+	if(NOT TARGET c-ares::cares_static)
 	add_library(c-ares::cares_static INTERFACE IMPORTED)
 	set_target_properties(c-ares::cares_static PROPERTIES INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES "c-ares::cares")
+	endif()
 endif()
 
 if(@CARES_STATIC@)
