diff --git a/gnu/packages/python-crypto.scm b/gnu/packages/python-crypto.scm
index 5984f7fc570..846427ba6d5 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/python-crypto.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/python-crypto.scm
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ requires = ['setuptools']
 
 [metadata]
 name = blake3
-version = '~a'
+version = ~a
 
 [options]
 packages = find: