diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index ee5e62b2636..5f0b8c12327 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -139,6 +139,8 @@ Extension Modules
 Build
 -----
 
+- Issue #6244: Allow detect_tkinter to look for Tcl/Tk 8.6.
+
 - Issue 4601: 'make install' did not set the appropriate permissions on
   directories.
 
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index f44550ef4e3..14d0adb4748 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -1314,8 +1314,8 @@ class PyBuildExt(build_ext):
         # The versions with dots are used on Unix, and the versions without
         # dots on Windows, for detection by cygwin.
         tcllib = tklib = tcl_includes = tk_includes = None
-        for version in ['8.5', '85', '8.4', '84', '8.3', '83', '8.2',
-                        '82', '8.1', '81', '8.0', '80']:
+        for version in ['8.6', '86', '8.5', '85', '8.4', '84', '8.3', '83',
+                        '8.2', '82', '8.1', '81', '8.0', '80']:
             tklib = self.compiler_obj.find_library_file(lib_dirs,
                                                         'tk' + version)
             tcllib = self.compiler_obj.find_library_file(lib_dirs,