diff --git a/pyop2/compilation.py b/pyop2/compilation.py
index 9761f0e97..4ee80b1b4 100644
--- a/pyop2/compilation.py
+++ b/pyop2/compilation.py
@@ -635,9 +635,9 @@ def __init__(self, code, argtypes):
     else:
         # Sniff compiler from executable
         if cpp:
-            exe = configuration["cxx"] or "g++"
+            exe = configuration["cxx"] or "mpicxx"
         else:
-            exe = configuration["cc"] or "gcc"
+            exe = configuration["cc"] or "mpicc"
         compiler = sniff_compiler(exe)
     dll = compiler(cppargs, ldargs, cpp=cpp, comm=comm).get_so(code, extension)
     if isinstance(jitmodule, GlobalKernel):