diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/version/common.py b/lib/spack/spack/version/common.py
index f285d7b9a7f..7cac90ca86b 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/version/common.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/version/common.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 COMMIT_VERSION = re.compile(r"^[a-f0-9]{40}$")
 
 # Infinity-like versions. The order in the list implies the comparison rules
-infinity_versions = ["stable", "trunk", "head", "master", "main", "develop"]
+infinity_versions = ["stable", "nightly", "trunk", "head", "master", "main", "develop"]
 
 iv_min_len = min(len(s) for s in infinity_versions)