diff --git a/templates/glibc.tmpl b/templates/glibc.tmpl
index 9475fd7a851..0709856edab 100644
--- a/templates/glibc.tmpl
+++ b/templates/glibc.tmpl
@@ -30,6 +30,11 @@ pre_configure()
 	mkdir -p $wrksrc/build_obj && cd $wrksrc/build_obj
 	wrksrc=$wrksrc/build_obj
 	echo "slibdir=/lib" > $wrksrc/configparms
+	# glibc fails to build if -march not set for a minimal cpu.
+	if [ "$xbps_machine" != "x86_64" ]; then
+		echo "CFLAGS+=-march=${xbps_machine%%-*} -mtune=generic" \
+			>> $wrksrc/configparms
+	fi
 }
 
 pre_install()