diff --git a/cpython-windows/build.py b/cpython-windows/build.py
index d84a5f90..1013542b 100644
--- a/cpython-windows/build.py
+++ b/cpython-windows/build.py
@@ -421,6 +421,13 @@ def hack_props(
rb"%s\$(ArchName)\" % tcltk_path,
)
+ try:
+ static_replace_in_file(
+ tcltkprops_path, rb"zlib1.dll", rb""
+ )
+ except NoSearchStringError:
+ pass
+
# We want to statically link against OpenSSL. This requires using our own
# OpenSSL build. This requires some hacking of various files.
openssl_props = pcbuild_path / "openssl.props"