diff --git a/distutils/command/build_ext.py b/distutils/command/build_ext.py
index df623d7e..6937f31e 100644
--- a/distutils/command/build_ext.py
+++ b/distutils/command/build_ext.py
@@ -329,10 +329,14 @@ def run(self) -> None:  # noqa: C901
             force=self.force,
         )
         customize_compiler(self.compiler)
-        # If we are cross-compiling, init the compiler now (if we are not
-        # cross-compiling, init would not hurt, but people may rely on
-        # late initialization of compiler even if they shouldn't...)
-        if os.name == 'nt' and self.plat_name != get_platform():
+        if (
+            # If we are cross-compiling, init the compiler now (if we are not
+            # cross-compiling, init would not hurt, but people may rely on
+            # late initialization of compiler even if they shouldn't...)
+            self.plat_name != get_platform()
+            # Initialization is a MSVCCompiler specific concept
+            and hasattr(self.compiler, "initialize")
+        ):
             self.compiler.initialize(self.plat_name)
 
         # The official Windows free threaded Python installer doesn't set