diff --git a/application/argumentparser.h b/application/argumentparser.h
index 9e60b61..c703c4f 100644
--- a/application/argumentparser.h
+++ b/application/argumentparser.h
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ inline const char *Argument::name() const
  */
 inline void Argument::setName(const char *name)
 {
-#ifdef CPP_UTILITIES_DEBUG_BUILD
+#if defined(CPP_UTILITIES_DEBUG_BUILD) && !defined(_MSC_VER)
     if (name && *name) {
         assert(*name != '-');
         for (const char *c = name; *c; ++c) {