diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/cgns/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/cgns/package.py
index 2036a78098..4ac08f89d4 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/cgns/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/cgns/package.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 
 from spack.package import *
 
+is_windows = sys.platform == "win32"
+
 
 class Cgns(CMakePackage):
     """The CFD General Notation System (CGNS) provides a general, portable,
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ def cmake_args(self):
             ]
         )
 
-        if "+mpi" in spec:
+        if "+mpi" in spec and not is_windows:
             options.extend(
                 [
                     "-DCMAKE_C_COMPILER=%s" % spec["mpi"].mpicc,