diff --git a/mesonbuild/compilers/compilers.py b/mesonbuild/compilers/compilers.py
index 87bf5afcd..26aeba78f 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/compilers/compilers.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/compilers/compilers.py
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ msvc_optimization_args = {'0': [],
                           'g': ['/O0'],
                           '1': ['/O1'],
                           '2': ['/O2'],
-                          '3': ['/O3'],
+                          '3': ['/O2'],
                           's': ['/O1'], # Implies /Os.
                           }