diff --git a/config_defaults.yml b/config_defaults.yml
index 3df6e799..4d1a5ac6 100644
--- a/config_defaults.yml
+++ b/config_defaults.yml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 Jenkinsfile:
   delete: true
 Gemfile:
-  puppet_version: '~> 7.24'
+  puppet_version: ['>= 7.24', '< 9']
   required:
     ':test':
       - gem: voxpupuli-test
diff --git a/moduleroot/Gemfile.erb b/moduleroot/Gemfile.erb
index a67b4685..05283c8d 100644
--- a/moduleroot/Gemfile.erb
+++ b/moduleroot/Gemfile.erb
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ end
 gem 'rake', :require => false
 gem 'facter', ENV['FACTER_GEM_VERSION'], :require => false, :groups => [:test]
 
-puppetversion = ENV['PUPPET_GEM_VERSION'] || '<%= @configs['puppet_version'] %>'
+puppetversion = ENV['PUPPET_GEM_VERSION'] || <%= @configs['puppet_version'].inspect %>
 gem 'puppet', puppetversion, :require => false, :groups => [:test]
 
 # vim: syntax=ruby