diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/express/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/express/package.py
index 7f5e94f475..c5ab4cb658 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/express/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/express/package.py
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ class Express(CMakePackage):
 
     # patch from the debian package repo:
     # https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=811859
-    patch('gcc-6.patch', when='%gcc@6.0.0:')
-    patch('gcc-6.patch', when='%fj')
+    patch('gcc-6.patch', when='@:1.5.2%gcc@6.0.0:')
+    patch('gcc-6.patch', when='@:1.5.2%fj')
 
     def patch(self):
         with working_dir('src'):