diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/autotools.py b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/autotools.py
index 230e12e1f8..e11127e4ed 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/autotools.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/autotools.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ def _do_patch_config_guess(self):
         build date (automake 1.13.4)."""
 
         if not self.patch_config_guess or not self.spec.satisfies(
-                'arch=linux-rhel7-ppc64le'
+                'target=ppc64le'
         ):
             return
         my_config_guess = None