diff --git a/SConstruct b/SConstruct
index 2b614bca5..2977d37b0 100644
--- a/SConstruct
+++ b/SConstruct
@@ -339,6 +339,12 @@ config_options = [
            default 'site-packages' directory. To install to the current user's
            site-packages directory, use 'python3_prefix=USER'.""",
         defaults.python_prefix, PathVariable.PathAccept),
+    PathVariable(
+        'python_compiler',
+        """ Compiler to use while building the Python extension module. By default,
+            the compiler will be selected by distutils. Applies to both Python 2
+            and Python 3.""",
+        '', PathVariable.PathAccept),
     EnumVariable(
         'matlab_toolbox',
         """This variable controls whether the Matlab toolbox will be built. If
diff --git a/interfaces/cython/SConscript b/interfaces/cython/SConscript
index 078723d32..1903eb461 100644
--- a/interfaces/cython/SConscript
+++ b/interfaces/cython/SConscript
@@ -110,7 +110,8 @@ libDirs = ('../../build/lib', localenv['sundials_libdir'],
 localenv['py_cantera_libs'] = repr(localenv['cantera_libs'])
 localenv['py_libdirs'] = repr([x for x in libDirs if x])
 
-# Compile the Python module with the same compiler as the rest of Cantera
+# Compile the Python module with the same compiler as the rest of Cantera,
+# unless otherwise specified
 localenv['py_extra_compiler_args'] = repr([])
 localenv['py_extra_link_args'] = repr([])
 if localenv['OS'] == 'Windows':
@@ -129,6 +130,8 @@ else:
     if '-fprofile-arcs' in localenv['CCFLAGS']:
         localenv['py_extra_compiler_args'] = repr(['-fprofile-arcs', '-ftest-coverage'])
         localenv['py_extra_link_args'] = repr(['-fprofile-arcs', '-ftest-coverage'])
+    if  env['python_compiler']:
+        localenv['ENV']['CC'] = env['python_compiler']
 
 if 'LDFLAGS' not in localenv['ENV']:
     localenv['ENV']['LDFLAGS'] = ''