diff --git a/make_rpm_ubuntu26.py b/make_rpm_ubuntu26.py
index 955caf7..6ed7b98 100755
--- a/make_rpm_ubuntu26.py
+++ b/make_rpm_ubuntu26.py
@@ -114,7 +114,6 @@ def copy_src_dir_to_dest_dir(srcdir, dstdir, perm=None, with_subdirs=True, relea
         'tests',
         'new_docker_build.sh',
         'specs',
-        'include',
         'translations',
         'CTestCustom.ctest',
         '.gitignore',
@@ -125,6 +124,9 @@ def copy_src_dir_to_dest_dir(srcdir, dstdir, perm=None, with_subdirs=True, relea
         'lts-cc.conf'
     ]
     
+    # Directories to exclude from include folder (bundled libraries not needed for release)
+    include_exclude = ['GeographicLib']
+    
     if with_subdirs:
         for root, dirs, files in os.walk(srcdir):
             # Filter directories for release scope
@@ -148,6 +150,9 @@ def copy_src_dir_to_dest_dir(srcdir, dstdir, perm=None, with_subdirs=True, relea
                 elif rel_root.startswith('TetraIF'):
                     # Keep all subdirectories under TetraIF
                     pass
+                elif rel_root == 'include':
+                    # In include directory, exclude bundled libraries
+                    dirs[:] = [d for d in dirs if d not in include_exclude]
                 else:
                     # Skip other directories
                     dirs[:] = []
@@ -164,6 +169,7 @@ def copy_src_dir_to_dest_dir(srcdir, dstdir, perm=None, with_subdirs=True, relea
                 if release_scope and rel_root == '.':
                     if file not in release_items and not any(file == item.split('/')[0] for item in release_items if '/' in item):
                         continue
+                    # Include 'include' directory but GeographicLib will be filtered during walk
                 src_path = os.path.join(root, file)
                 # Skip broken symlinks
                 if os.path.islink(src_path) and not os.path.exists(src_path):