diff --git a/StarSs_testing_install.sh b/StarSs_testing_install.sh
index 8d7881f..5592395 100755
--- a/StarSs_testing_install.sh
+++ b/StarSs_testing_install.sh
@@ -36,7 +36,11 @@ if [ -z ${GIT_REPO} ]; then
 fi
 echo "Getting source for repository $GIT_REPO"
 
-COMPILER=gnu-4.5
+# you *may* also specify a compiler  
+if [ -z ${COMPILER} ]; then 
+    COMPILER=gnu-4.5
+fi
+
 if [ ${TARGET} = "hermit_cray" ]; then 
     COMPILER=cray
     TARGET=hermit
@@ -59,7 +63,7 @@ fi
 
 # load modules 
 if [ ${TARGET} = "laki" ]; then
-    module load compiler/gnu/4.5
+    module load compiler/$(echo ${COMPILER} | sed "s,-,/,")
     module use /opt/amtopt/autotools/modulefiles
     module load local
     module load system/perfctr system/papi/4.1.2.1a