diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 6e5b8c8f31..ea14ee2dcb 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -229,7 +229,8 @@ if(NOT TARGET pybind11_headers)
   # (long name used here to keep this from clashing in subdirectory mode)
   add_library(pybind11_headers INTERFACE)
   add_library(pybind11::pybind11_headers ALIAS pybind11_headers) # to match exported target
-  add_library(pybind11::headers ALIAS pybind11_headers) # easier to use/remember
+  add_library(pybind11::headers IMPORTED INTERFACE)
+  set_target_properties(pybind11::headers PROPERTIES INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES pybind11_headers)
 
   target_include_directories(
     pybind11_headers ${pybind11_system} INTERFACE $<BUILD_INTERFACE:${pybind11_INCLUDE_DIR}>