diff --git a/libsrc/hdf_convenience.c b/libsrc/hdf_convenience.c
index 4d9346294..ff4db2885 100644
--- a/libsrc/hdf_convenience.c
+++ b/libsrc/hdf_convenience.c
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 #define MI2_CLASS "class"
 
 /* Make 1.8.x compatible files if building with 1.10.x */  
-#ifndef H5F_LIBVER_V18
+#if (H5_VERS_MAJOR==1)&&(H5_VERS_MINOR<10)
 #define H5F_LIBVER_V18 H5F_LIBVER_LATEST
 #endif
 
diff --git a/libsrc2/volume.c b/libsrc2/volume.c
index 1aa3b2acf..038bb2078 100644
--- a/libsrc2/volume.c
+++ b/libsrc2/volume.c
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 #include "minc2_private.h"
 
 /* Build with 1.8.x support if using 1.10.x */ 
-#ifndef H5F_LIBVER_V18
+#if (H5_VERS_MAJOR==1)&&(H5_VERS_MINOR<10)
 #define H5F_LIBVER_V18 H5F_LIBVER_LATEST
 #endif