diff --git a/src/libraries/externals.csproj b/src/libraries/externals.csproj
index a2fbff29ec0609..00effdc6e8edc6 100644
--- a/src/libraries/externals.csproj
+++ b/src/libraries/externals.csproj
@@ -95,6 +95,9 @@
           AfterTargets="AfterResolveReferences"
           Condition="'$(RuntimeFlavor)' == 'Mono'">
     <ItemGroup>
+      <!-- copy the host files to make the desktop samples work -->
+      <RuntimeFiles Include="@(HostFxrFile)" Condition="Exists('@(HostFxrFile)') and '$(TargetsMobile)' != 'true'"/>
+      <RuntimeFiles Include="@(HostPolicyFile)" Condition="Exists('@(HostPolicyFile)') and '$(TargetsMobile)' != 'true'" />
       <ReferenceCopyLocalPaths Include="@(RuntimeFiles)" />
       <!-- Setup runtime pack native. -->
       <ReferenceCopyLocalPaths Include="@(MonoCrossFiles)"