diff --git a/python/src/pycryptosat.cpp b/python/src/pycryptosat.cpp
index 3dd2b7347..f56c45872 100644
--- a/python/src/pycryptosat.cpp
+++ b/python/src/pycryptosat.cpp
@@ -896,6 +896,16 @@ MODULE_INIT_FUNC(pycryptosat)
 
     // Add the version string so users know what version of CryptoMiniSat
     // they're using.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER)
+    if (PyModule_AddStringConstant(m, "__version__", "unknown -- can't use /D to define strings in Windows, pypi and Windows CLI are both broken") {
+        Py_DECREF(m);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    if (PyModule_AddStringConstant(m, "VERSION", "unknown -- can't use /D to define strings in Windows, pypi and Windows CLI are both broken") == -1) {
+        Py_DECREF(m);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+#else
     if (PyModule_AddStringConstant(m, "__version__", CMS_FULL_VERSION) == -1) {
         Py_DECREF(m);
         return NULL;
@@ -904,6 +914,8 @@ MODULE_INIT_FUNC(pycryptosat)
         Py_DECREF(m);
         return NULL;
     }
+#endif
+
 
     // Add the Solver type.
     Py_INCREF(&pycryptosat_SolverType);
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 0966f6a6c..27d7fa4f3 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -49,12 +49,12 @@ def _parse_toml(pyproject_path):
 def gen_modules(version):
 
     if platform == "win32" or platform == "cygwin":
-        extra_compile_args_val = ['-I../', '-Isrc/', '/std:c++17', "/DCMS_FULL_VERSION=\\\"cms-"+version+"\\\""]
+        extra_compile_args_val = ['-I../', '-Isrc/', '/std:c++17', "/DCMS_FULL_VERSION=\""+version+"\""]
         define_macros_val = [("TRACE", "")]
 
     else:
         extra_compile_args_val = ['-I../', '-Isrc/', '-std=c++17']
-        define_macros_val = [("TRACE", ""), ("CMS_FULL_VERSION", "\"cms-"+version+"\"")]
+        define_macros_val = [("TRACE", ""), ("CMS_FULL_VERSION", "\""+version+"\"")]
 
     modules = Extension(
         name = "pycryptosat",