diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 71e853dcee9..37477216d3f 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@
 import sys
 import warnings
 
-from setuptools import Extension, setup
+from setuptools import Extension
+from setuptools import __version__ as setuptools_version
+from setuptools import setup
 from setuptools.command.build_ext import build_ext
 
 
@@ -850,6 +852,7 @@ def build_extensions(self):
             sys.platform == "win32"
             and sys.version_info < (3, 9)
             and not (PLATFORM_PYPY or PLATFORM_MINGW)
+            and int(setuptools_version.split('.')[0]) < 60
         ):
             defs.append(("PILLOW_VERSION", f'"\\"{PILLOW_VERSION}\\""'))
         else: