diff --git a/sdk/compiler/daml-extension/src/extension.ts b/sdk/compiler/daml-extension/src/extension.ts
index 40cbf1db660a..0881465f7d08 100644
--- a/sdk/compiler/daml-extension/src/extension.ts
+++ b/sdk/compiler/daml-extension/src/extension.ts
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ export function createLanguageClient(
     {
       args: serverArgs,
       command: command,
-      options: { cwd: vscode.workspace.rootPath },
+      options: { cwd: vscode.workspace.rootPath, shell: true },
     },
     clientOptions,
     true,