diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/openblas/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/openblas/package.py
index 692718e6cc..e9d3a50d46 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/openblas/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/openblas/package.py
@@ -382,8 +382,9 @@ def make_defs(self):
         if "+consistent_fpcsr" in self.spec:
             make_defs += ["CONSISTENT_FPCSR=1"]
 
-        # Flang/f18 does not provide ETIME as an intrinsic
-        if self.spec.satisfies("%clang"):
+        # Flang/f18 does not provide ETIME as an intrinsic.
+        # Do not set TIMER variable if fortran is disabled.
+        if self.spec.satisfies("+fortran%clang"):
             make_defs.append("TIMER=INT_CPU_TIME")
 
         # Prevent errors in `as` assembler from newer instructions