diff --git a/lib/core/macros.nim b/lib/core/macros.nim
index 85eb597b2a..6525770ebe 100644
--- a/lib/core/macros.nim
+++ b/lib/core/macros.nim
@@ -716,7 +716,7 @@ proc newLit*(f: float64): NimNode {.compileTime.} =
   result = newNimNode(nnkFloat64Lit)
   result.floatVal = f
 
-when compiles(float128):
+when declared(float128):
   proc newLit*(f: float128): NimNode {.compileTime.} =
     ## produces a new float literal node.
     result = newNimNode(nnkFloat128Lit)