diff --git a/mesonbuild/compilers/java.py b/mesonbuild/compilers/java.py
index 16495116a..03ee38241 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/compilers/java.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/compilers/java.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class JavaCompiler(Compiler):
             if i in ['-cp', '-classpath', '-sourcepath'] and idx + 1 < len(parameter_list):
                 path_list = parameter_list[idx + 1].split(os.pathsep)
                 path_list = [os.path.normpath(os.path.join(build_dir, x)) for x in path_list]
-                parameter_list[idx + 1] = ':'.join(path_list)
+                parameter_list[idx + 1] = os.pathsep.join(path_list)
 
         return parameter_list