diff --git a/tools/export/cmake/CMakeLists.txt.tmpl b/tools/export/cmake/CMakeLists.txt.tmpl
index 544e1af32ec..b3b38ad3d5b 100644
--- a/tools/export/cmake/CMakeLists.txt.tmpl
+++ b/tools/export/cmake/CMakeLists.txt.tmpl
@@ -103,4 +103,7 @@ IF(EXISTS ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/project.cmake)
   INCLUDE(${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/project.cmake)
 ELSE()
   MESSAGE(STATUS "Add a local project.cmake file to add your own targets.")
-ENDIF()
\ No newline at end of file
+ENDIF()
+
+# this will take care of binary directories generated by cmake/clion not to confuse the cli build
+FILE(GENERATE OUTPUT "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/.mbedignore" CONTENT "*")