diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/hipblas/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/hipblas/package.py
index af4fa0f364..3b93406ae9 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/hipblas/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/hipblas/package.py
@@ -35,6 +35,15 @@ def cmake_args(self):
             '-DBUILD_CLIENTS_SAMPLES=OFF',
             '-DBUILD_CLIENTS_TESTS=OFF'
         ]
+
+        # hipblas actually prefers CUDA over AMD GPUs when you have it
+        # installed...
+        if self.spec.satisfies('@:3.9.0'):
+            args.append('-DTRY_CUDA=OFF')
+
+        else:
+            args.append('-DUSE_CUDA=OFF')
+
         return args
 
     def setup_build_environment(self, env):