diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/msbuild.py b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/msbuild.py
index d451d26be62..90c4018de81 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/msbuild.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/msbuild.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def toolchain_version(self):
         Override this method to select a specific version of the toolchain or change
         selection heuristics.
         Default is whatever version of msvc has been selected by concretization"""
-        return self.compiler.msvc_version
+        return "v" + self.pkg.compiler.platform_toolset_ver
 
     @property
     def std_msbuild_args(self):