diff --git a/gulpfile.js b/gulpfile.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/gulpfile.js
+++ b/gulpfile.js
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ gulp.task('conda:build', async () => {
   if (os.platform() == 'win32') {
     title('installing buildtools (must be running as Administrator)');
     await spawnAsync(`npm install --global --production windows-build-tools`);
+    await spawnAsync(`npm config set msvs_version 2015 --global`);
   }
 
   title('installing microdrop');
ensure msvs_version is <I>