diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/hdf5/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/hdf5/package.py
index cce609eb291..470969832f1 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/hdf5/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/hdf5/package.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class Hdf5(Package):
     list_depth = 3
 
     version('1.10.0', 'bdc935337ee8282579cd6bc4270ad199')
-    version('1.8.16', 'b8ed9a36ae142317f88b0c7ef4b9c618')
+    version('1.8.16', 'b8ed9a36ae142317f88b0c7ef4b9c618', preferred=True)
     version('1.8.15', '03cccb5b33dbe975fdcd8ae9dc021f24')
     version('1.8.13', 'c03426e9e77d7766944654280b467289')