diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/spec_parser.py b/lib/spack/spack/spec_parser.py
index cfdd46bd502..751ffb88751 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/spec_parser.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/spec_parser.py
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ def add_dependency(dep, **edge_properties):
                 raise SpecParsingError(str(e), self.ctx.current_token, self.literal_str) from e
 
         # Get toolchain information outside of loop
-        toolchains = spack.config.get("toolchains", {})
+        toolchains = spack.config.CONFIG.get("toolchains", {})
 
         initial_spec = initial_spec or spack.spec.Spec()
         root_spec, parser_warnings = SpecNodeParser(self.ctx, self.literal_str).parse(initial_spec)
@@ -319,11 +319,11 @@ def add_dependency(dep, **edge_properties):
             elif self.ctx.accept(SpecTokens.DEPENDENCY):
                 # String replacement for toolchains
                 # Look ahead to match upcoming value to list of toolchains
-                if self.next_token.value in toolchains:
+                if self.ctx.next_token.value in toolchains:
                     assert self.ctx.accept(SpecTokens.UNQUALIFIED_PACKAGE_NAME)
-                    # accepting the token advances it to the current token
+                    # accepting the token advances it to be the current token
                     # Push associated tokens back to the TokenContext
-                    self.ctx.push(parseable_tokens(toolchains[self.current_token.value]))
+                    self.ctx.push(parseable_tokens(toolchains[self.ctx.current_token.value]))
                     continue
 
                 is_direct = self.ctx.current_token.value[0] == "%"
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/conftest.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/conftest.py
index b5b8e4d9825..5068cf48338 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/conftest.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/conftest.py
@@ -2054,7 +2054,7 @@ def shell_as(shell):
 @pytest.fixture()
 def nullify_globals(request, monkeypatch):
     ensure_configuration_fixture_run_before(request)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(spack.config, "CONFIG", None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(spack.config, "CONFIG", {})  # So basic get operations do not throw
     monkeypatch.setattr(spack.caches, "MISC_CACHE", None)
     monkeypatch.setattr(spack.caches, "FETCH_CACHE", None)
     monkeypatch.setattr(spack.repo, "PATH", None)