diff --git i/cmake/external_dependencies.cmake w/cmake/external_dependencies.cmake
index 76648b2..851b144 100644
--- i/cmake/external_dependencies.cmake
+++ w/cmake/external_dependencies.cmake
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ function(setup_library SOURCE_TO_TEST)
         return()
     endif()
 
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "system library ${LIB_SETUP_NAME} not found")
+    return()
+
     if (NOT LIB_SETUP_GIT_TAG)
         set(LIB_SETUP_GIT_TAG master)
     endif()