diff --git a/Lib/test/support/__init__.py b/Lib/test/support/__init__.py
index f8f60fb6c27..b21978a61cd 100644
--- a/Lib/test/support/__init__.py
+++ b/Lib/test/support/__init__.py
@@ -1673,9 +1673,15 @@ def missing_compiler_executable(cmd_names=[]):
     missing.
 
     """
-    from distutils import ccompiler, sysconfig, spawn
+    from distutils import ccompiler, sysconfig, spawn, errors
     compiler = ccompiler.new_compiler()
     sysconfig.customize_compiler(compiler)
+    if compiler.compiler_type == "msvc":
+        # MSVC has no executables, so check whether initialization succeeds
+        try:
+            compiler.initialize()
+        except errors.DistutilsPlatformError:
+            return "msvc"
     for name in compiler.executables:
         if cmd_names and name not in cmd_names:
             continue