diff --git a/apex/apex.go b/apex/apex.go
index 3d7b45d..7cafa41 100644
--- a/apex/apex.go
+++ b/apex/apex.go
@@ -1093,7 +1093,7 @@
 							// don't include it in this APEX
 							return false
 						}
-						if !a.Host() && (cc.IsStubs() || cc.HasStubsVariants()) {
+						if !a.Host() && !android.DirectlyInApex(ctx.ModuleName(), ctx.OtherModuleName(cc)) && (cc.IsStubs() || cc.HasStubsVariants()) {
 							// If the dependency is a stubs lib, don't include it in this APEX,
 							// but make sure that the lib is installed on the device.
 							// In case no APEX is having the lib, the lib is installed to the system