diff --git a/rosidl_generator_cpp/package.xml b/rosidl_generator_cpp/package.xml
index cfcf8d98c..6252aa13b 100644
--- a/rosidl_generator_cpp/package.xml
+++ b/rosidl_generator_cpp/package.xml
@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@
   <maintainer email="dthomas@osrfoundation.org">Dirk Thomas</maintainer>
   <license>Apache License 2.0</license>
 
-  <build_depend>rosidl_generator_c</build_depend>
-
   <buildtool_depend>ament_cmake</buildtool_depend>
 
   <buildtool_export_depend>ament_cmake</buildtool_export_depend>