diff --git a/jax/_src/layout.py b/jax/_src/layout.py
index 7b558794d5a2..ae9af35be653 100644
--- a/jax/_src/layout.py
+++ b/jax/_src/layout.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 from __future__ import annotations
+import re
 
 from jax._src.lib import xla_client as xc
 
@@ -33,8 +34,7 @@ class SpecifiedLayout(XLACompatibleLayout):
 
   def __init__(self, layout: xc.Layout):
     self._layout = layout
-    self._layout_str = self._layout.to_string()
-    self._minor_to_major = self._layout.minor_to_major()
+    self._layout_str = str(self._layout)
 
   def __repr__(self):
     return f'SpecifiedLayout({self._layout_str})'
@@ -50,6 +50,15 @@ def __eq__(self, other):
   def _to_xla_layout(self) -> str:
     return self._layout_str
 
+  @property
+  def _minor_to_major(self):
+    m = re.search("{([0-9,]*):", str(self))
+    assert m is not None
+    m2m_str = m.group(1)
+    if m2m_str == '':
+      return ()
+    return tuple(int(x) for x in m2m_str.split(","))
+
 
 class LayoutRequest: