diff --git a/Lib/distutils/tests/test_build_ext.py b/Lib/distutils/tests/test_build_ext.py
index c6533ca9f79..7e3f7165004 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/tests/test_build_ext.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/tests/test_build_ext.py
@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@
 # Don't load the xx module more than once.
 ALREADY_TESTED = False
 
+if sys.platform != 'win32':
+    UNDER_MSVC8 = False
+else:
+    from distutils.msvccompiler import get_build_version
+    UNDER_MSVC8 = get_build_version() < 8.0
+
 def _get_source_filename():
     srcdir = sysconfig.get_config_var('srcdir')
     return os.path.join(srcdir, 'Modules', 'xxmodule.c')
@@ -293,6 +299,7 @@ def test_compiler_option(self):
         cmd.run()
         self.assertEquals(cmd.compiler, 'unix')
 
+    @unittest.skipIf(UNDER_MSVC8, 'not running this test for MSVC < 8')
     def test_get_outputs(self):
         tmp_dir = self.mkdtemp()
         c_file = os.path.join(tmp_dir, 'foo.c')