diff --git a/lib/core/macros.nim b/lib/core/macros.nim
index ef8e1e21a9..9b82e658c8 100644
--- a/lib/core/macros.nim
+++ b/lib/core/macros.nim
@@ -649,7 +649,7 @@ 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)