diff --git a/platform/windows/detect.py b/platform/windows/detect.py
index 74806a260aa..590f92a0542 100644
--- a/platform/windows/detect.py
+++ b/platform/windows/detect.py
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ def configure(env):
         mingw_prefix = ""
 
         if (env["bits"] == "default"):
-            env["bits"] = "32"
+            env["bits"] = "64" if "PROGRAMFILES(X86)" in os.environ else "32"
 
         if (env["bits"] == "32"):
             env.Append(LINKFLAGS=['-static'])