diff --git a/android/build.gradle b/android/build.gradle
index 251164157..fc0a12619 100644
--- a/android/build.gradle
+++ b/android/build.gradle
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ dependencies {
 }
 
 afterEvaluate { project ->
+    // do this only when building this lib alone as a root project
+    if (project != rootProject) {
+        return
+    }
+
     // some Gradle build hooks ref:
     // https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/gradle-beyond-the/9781449373801/ch03.html
     task androidJavadoc(type: Javadoc) {