diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/spec.py b/lib/spack/spack/spec.py
index 39dad67d2c..de00a3dd5b 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/spec.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/spec.py
@@ -2709,17 +2709,17 @@ def _dup(self, other, deps=True, cleardeps=True, caches=None):
                 deptypes = deps
             self._dup_deps(other, deptypes, caches)
 
+        self._concrete = other._concrete
+
         if caches:
             self._hash = other._hash
             self._cmp_key_cache = other._cmp_key_cache
             self._normal = other._normal
-            self._concrete = other._concrete
             self._full_hash = other._full_hash
         else:
             self._hash = None
             self._cmp_key_cache = None
             self._normal = False
-            self._concrete = False
             self._full_hash = None
 
         return changed