diff --git a/bazel/test_external/BUILD b/bazel/test_external/BUILD
index f2b720cf87..d824f09107 100644
--- a/bazel/test_external/BUILD
+++ b/bazel/test_external/BUILD
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ BASE_LINKOPTS = [
 ]
 
 RELEASE_OPTS = [
-    "--closure 1",  # Run the closure compiler
+    "--closure=1",  # Run the closure compiler
 ]
 
 DEBUG_OPTS = [
-    "--closure 0",  # Do not use closure
+    "--closure=0",  # Do not use closure
 ]
 
 config_setting(