diff --git a/perfkitbenchmarker/linux_packages/openblas.py b/perfkitbenchmarker/linux_packages/openblas.py
index 530cbd7e5b..cea4f7836a 100644
--- a/perfkitbenchmarker/linux_packages/openblas.py
+++ b/perfkitbenchmarker/linux_packages/openblas.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 
 """Module containing OpenBLAS installation and cleanup functions."""
 
+import logging
+from perfkitbenchmarker import errors
 from perfkitbenchmarker import linux_packages
 
 OPENBLAS_DIR = '%s/OpenBLAS' % linux_packages.INSTALL_DIR
@@ -27,7 +29,15 @@ def _Install(vm):
   vm.Install('fortran')
   vm.RemoteCommand('git clone {0} {1}'.format(GIT_REPO, OPENBLAS_DIR))
   vm.RemoteCommand('cd {0} && git checkout {1}'.format(OPENBLAS_DIR, GIT_TAG))
-  vm.RemoteCommand('cd {0} && make USE_THREAD=0'.format(OPENBLAS_DIR))
+  try:
+    vm.RemoteCommand('cd {0} && make USE_THREAD=0'.format(OPENBLAS_DIR))
+  except errors.VirtualMachine.RemoteCommandError as error:
+    if 'detecting cpu failed' in str(error).lower():
+      logging.info('Attempting to recompile OpenBLAS with TARGET=SKYLAKEX')
+      vm.RemoteCommand(
+          'cd {0} && make TARGET=SKYLAKEX USE_THREAD=0'.format(OPENBLAS_DIR))
+    else:
+      raise error
 
 
 def YumInstall(vm):