diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/cnl.py b/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/cnl.py
index 20cb4c215b4..9a0bf6c1942 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/cnl.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/cnl.py
@@ -11,9 +11,3 @@ def __init__(self):
         name = 'CNL'
         version = '10'
         super(Cnl, self).__init__(name, version, "MODULES")
-
-    def compiler_strategy(self):
-        return self.compiler_strategy
-
-    def find_compilers(self):
-        pass
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/linux_distro.py b/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/linux_distro.py
index c5547749d8d..81c7a864304 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/linux_distro.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/linux_distro.py
@@ -12,13 +12,4 @@ def __init__(self):
         name = py_platform.dist()[0]
         version = py_platform.dist()[1] 
 
-        super(LinuxDistro, self).__init__(name, version, "PATH")
-    
-    def compiler_strategy(self):
-        return self.compiler_strategy
-
-    def find_compilers(self):
-        pass
-
-    
-
+        super(LinuxDistro, self).__init__(name, version)
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/mac_osx.py b/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/mac_osx.py
index 555c5cfb14e..a9de03d2cc7 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/mac_osx.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/operating_systems/mac_osx.py
@@ -26,15 +26,4 @@ def __init__(self):
         except KeyError:
             name = "mac_os"
 
-        super(MacOsx, self).__init__(name, mac_ver, "PATH")
-
-    def compiler_strategy(self):
-        return self.compiler_strategy
-
-    def find_compilers(self):
-        pass
-        
-
-
-
-
+        super(MacOsx, self).__init__(name, mac_ver)