diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 7e2258a..943d29d 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -128,8 +128,20 @@ def get_extensions():
             if liberfa_versions:
                 print('Configure liberfa ("configure.ac" scan)')
                 lines = []
-                for name, value in get_liberfa_versions():
-                    lines.append(f'#define {name} "{value}"')
+                for name, value in liberfa_versions:
+                    if name in ("PACKAGE_VERSION", "SOFA_VERSION"):
+                        # strings should be escaped
+                        value_repr = f'"{value}"'
+                    elif name in (
+                        "PACKAGE_VERSION_MAJOR",
+                        "PACKAGE_VERSION_MINOR",
+                        "PACKAGE_VERSION_MICRO",
+                    ):
+                        # integers
+                        value_repr = value
+                    else:
+                        raise RuntimeError(f"Unexpected item {name=}, {value=}")
+                    lines.append(f'#define {name} {value_repr}')
                 with open(config_h, 'w') as fd:
                     fd.write('\n'.join(lines))
             else: