diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 5db2e0e..44e3726 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -137,9 +137,7 @@
 
 # The "tools" are needed early, so put this first
 # Don't include stuff already done in $(LIBS)
-SUBDIRS	= tools \
-	  examples/standalone \
-	  examples/api
+SUBDIRS	= tools
 
 .PHONY : $(SUBDIRS) $(VERSION_FILE) $(TIMESTAMP_FILE)
 
@@ -156,6 +154,11 @@
 include $(obj)include/config.mk
 export	ARCH CPU BOARD VENDOR SOC
 
+ifndef CONFIG_SANDBOX
+SUBDIRS += examples/standalone \
+	  examples/api
+endif
+
 # set default to nothing for native builds
 ifeq ($(HOSTARCH),$(ARCH))
 CROSS_COMPILE ?=