diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/r/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/r/package.py
index 052d22c1a53..65e6baa6b6d 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/r/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/r/package.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class R(AutotoolsPackage):
     depends_on("xz")
     depends_on("which", type=("build", "run"))
     depends_on("zlib-api")
-    depends_on("zlib@1.2.5:", when="^zlib")
+    depends_on("zlib@1.2.5:", when="^[virtuals=zlib-api] zlib")
     depends_on("texinfo", type="build")
 
     with when("+X"):