diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index eedd40b8137..6d304f32fb0 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -1342,17 +1342,22 @@ if not pyopt.disabled()
     # this internally:
     # <https://github.com/mesonbuild/meson/issues/13824>.
     if host_system == 'windows' and cc.get_id() == 'msvc'
-      python3_libdir = python3_inst.get_variable('prefix') / 'libs'
+      python3_prefix = python3_inst.get_variable('prefix')
+      python3_libdir = python3_prefix / 'libs'
+      python3_incdir = python3_prefix / 'include'
       python3_lib = cc.find_library('python3', dirs: python3_libdir, required: pyopt)
       python3_dep = declare_dependency(
-        include_directories: include_directories(python3_inst.get_variable('prefix') / 'include'),
+        include_directories: include_directories(python3_incdir),
         dependencies: python3_lib,
       )
+      # Explicit args needed for older Meson compatibility
+      python3_header_check_args = ['/I' + python3_incdir]
     else
       python3_dep = python3_inst.dependency(embed: true, required: pyopt)
+      python3_header_check_args = []
     endif
     # Remove this check after we depend on Meson >= 1.1.0
-    if not cc.check_header('Python.h', dependencies: python3_dep, required: pyopt, include_directories: postgres_inc)
+    if not cc.check_header('Python.h', args: python3_header_check_args, dependencies: python3_dep, required: pyopt, include_directories: postgres_inc)
       python3_dep = not_found_dep
     endif
   endif