diff --git a/examples/BUILD.bazel b/examples/BUILD.bazel
index b72b530..3d1bcbc 100644
--- a/examples/BUILD.bazel
+++ b/examples/BUILD.bazel
@@ -17,10 +17,15 @@
 load("//:defs.bzl", "ts_library")
 
 ts_library(
+    name = "types",
+    srcs = ["types.d.ts"],
+)
+
+ts_library(
     name = "foo_ts_library",
     srcs = [
+        ":types",
         "foo.ts",
-        "types.d.ts",
     ],
     tsconfig = ":tsconfig.json",
     deps = ["//examples/generated_ts"],
diff --git a/internal/build_defs.bzl b/internal/build_defs.bzl
index 41a0b5c..fc67c45 100644
--- a/internal/build_defs.bzl
+++ b/internal/build_defs.bzl
@@ -25,19 +25,24 @@
 
 def _compile_action(ctx, inputs, outputs, config_file_path):
   externs_files = []
-  non_externs_files = []
+  action_outputs = []
   for output in outputs:
     if output.basename.endswith(".externs.js"):
       externs_files.append(output)
     elif output.basename.endswith(".es5.MF"):
       ctx.file_action(output, content="")
     else:
-      non_externs_files.append(output)
+      action_outputs.append(output)
 
   # TODO(plf): For now we mock creation of files other than {name}.js.
   for externs_file in externs_files:
     ctx.file_action(output=externs_file, content="")
 
+  # A ts_library that has only .d.ts inputs will have no outputs,
+  # therefore there are no actions to execute
+  if not action_outputs:
+    return
+
   action_inputs = inputs + [f for f in ctx.files.node_modules + ctx.files._tsc_wrapped_deps
                             if f.path.endswith(".ts") or f.path.endswith(".json")]
   if ctx.file.tsconfig:
@@ -59,7 +64,7 @@
       progress_message = "Compiling TypeScript (devmode) %s" % ctx.label,
       mnemonic = mnemonic,
       inputs = action_inputs,
-      outputs = non_externs_files,
+      outputs = action_outputs,
       arguments = arguments,
       executable = ctx.executable.compiler,
       execution_requirements = {