diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/libxcrypt/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/libxcrypt/package.py
index d828288756b..2e2ef94c65a 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/libxcrypt/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/libxcrypt/package.py
@@ -48,6 +48,6 @@ def libs(self):
 
     with when("@:4.4.17"):
         depends_on("autoconf", type="build")
-        depends_on("automake", type="build")
+        depends_on("automake@1.14:", type="build")
         depends_on("libtool", type="build")
         depends_on("m4", type="build")