diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index e0c45c0603..8fab77ec9d 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -119,7 +119,10 @@ def build_extension(self, ext):
                     os.path.join(extdir, "openpmd_api")
                 )
             ]
-            if sys.maxsize > 2**32:
+            generator_platform = os.environ.get("CMAKE_GENERATOR_PLATFORM")
+            if generator_platform:
+                cmake_args += ['-A', generator_platform]
+            elif sys.maxsize > 2**32:
                 cmake_args += ['-A', 'x64']
             build_args += ['--', '/m']
         else: