diff --git a/Tests/test_image_access.py b/Tests/test_image_access.py
index ee8a92d5eaf..ceee458c2d8 100644
--- a/Tests/test_image_access.py
+++ b/Tests/test_image_access.py
@@ -306,7 +306,12 @@ def test_embeddable(self) -> None:
         """)
 
         objects = compiler.compile(["embed_pil.c"])
-        compiler.link_executable(objects, "embed_pil")
+        libraries = []
+        if compiler.compiler_type == "mingw32":
+            # MSVC links the Python library automatically via a pragma in
+            # pyconfig.h, but MinGW needs it to be passed explicitly
+            libraries.append("python3")
+        compiler.link_executable(objects, "embed_pil", libraries=libraries)
 
         env = os.environ.copy()
         env["PATH"] = sys.prefix + ";" + env["PATH"]