diff --git a/alloy.py b/alloy.py
index 2dc3fe44..34e3b439 100755
--- a/alloy.py
+++ b/alloy.py
@@ -730,7 +730,10 @@ def validation_run(only, only_targets, reference_branch, number, notify, update,
                 # *always* specify default values for global variables on each loop iteration
                 stability.wrapexe = ""
                 stability.compiler_exe = None
-
+                # choosing right compiler for a given target
+                # sometimes clang++ is not avaluable. if --ispc-build-compiler = gcc we will pass in g++ compiler
+                if options.ispc_build_compiler == "gcc":
+                    stability.compiler_exe = "g++"
                 if ("knc-generic" in stability.target) or ("knl-generic" in stability.target):
                     stability.compiler_exe = "icpc"
                 stability.wrapexe = get_sde() + " " + sde_targets[j][0] + " -- "