diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 30b8f4bcfe8..27a11469479 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ def pkg_config(pkg):
 def host_arch_cc():
   """Host architecture check using the CC command."""
 
-  p = subprocess.Popen([CC, '-dM', '-E', '-'],
+  p = subprocess.Popen(CC.split() + ['-dM', '-E', '-'],
                        stdin=subprocess.PIPE,
                        stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
                        stderr=subprocess.PIPE)