diff --git a/eb_hooks.py b/eb_hooks.py
index 23edd32a50..db01bb9007 100644
--- a/eb_hooks.py
+++ b/eb_hooks.py
@@ -251,15 +251,14 @@ def pre_configure_hook_wrf_aarch64(self, *args, **kwargs):
     - patch arch/configure_new.defaults so building WRF with foss toolchain works on aarch64
     """
     if self.name == 'WRF':
-        wrfversion = int((self.version).replace(".",""))
         if get_cpu_architecture() == AARCH64:
             pattern = "Linux x86_64 ppc64le, gfortran"
             repl = "Linux x86_64 aarch64 ppc64le, gfortran"
-            if wrfversion <= 39:
+            if LooseVersion(self.version) <= LooseVersion('3.9.0'):
                     self.cfg.update('preconfigopts', "sed -i 's/%s/%s/g' arch/configure_new.defaults && " % (pattern, repl))
                     print_msg("Using custom preconfigopts for %s: %s", self.name, self.cfg['preconfigopts'])
                     
-            if 400 <= wrfversion <= 421:
+            if LooseVersion('4.0.0') <= LooseVersion(self.version) <= LooseVersion('4.2.1'):
                     self.cfg.update('preconfigopts', "sed -i 's/%s/%s/g' arch/configure.defaults && " % (pattern, repl))
                     print_msg("Using custom preconfigopts for %s: %s", self.name, self.cfg['preconfigopts'])
     else: