diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
index e3f5317f7c..bc8574aa1e 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
@@ -762,7 +762,7 @@ class BBCooker:
     @staticmethod
     def add_mc_prefix(mc, pn):
         if mc:
-            return "multiconfig:%s.%s" % (mc, pn)
+            return "multiconfig:%s:%s" % (mc, pn)
         return pn
 
     def buildDependTree(self, rq, taskdata):