diff --git a/GNUmakefile b/GNUmakefile
index f139b3d39..845aca3d9 100644
--- a/GNUmakefile
+++ b/GNUmakefile
@@ -21,8 +21,11 @@
 # Macros
 #
 
+# allow user to override compiler
+# if no compiler is specified make specifies cc
+ifeq ($(CC),cc)
 CC = /usr/bin/g++
-
+endif
 
 all: MCServer/MCServer