diff --git a/python/build/cmake.py b/python/build/cmake.py
index 74d5f286a..12887d3ba 100644
--- a/python/build/cmake.py
+++ b/python/build/cmake.py
@@ -53,6 +53,14 @@ set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS_INIT "{toolchain.cxxflags} {toolchain.cppflags}")
 set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH "{toolchain.install_prefix};{sysroot}")
 set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_LIBRARY ONLY)
 set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_INCLUDE ONLY)
+""")
+    elif cmake_system_name == 'Windows':
+            # search libraries and headers only in the sysroot, not on
+            # the build host
+            f.write(f"""
+set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH "{toolchain.install_prefix}")
+set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_LIBRARY ONLY)
+set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_INCLUDE ONLY)
 """)
 
 def configure(toolchain: AnyToolchain, src: str, build: str, args: list[str]=[], env: Optional[Mapping[str, str]]=None) -> None: