diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-matplotlib/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-matplotlib/package.py
index df552de40a9..36d1f5254be 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-matplotlib/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-matplotlib/package.py
@@ -130,11 +130,6 @@ class PyMatplotlib(PythonPackage):
     # Patch to pick up correct freetype headers
     patch('freetype-include-path.patch', when='@2.2.2:2.9.9')
 
-    @run_before('build')
-    def set_cc(self):
-        if self.spec.satisfies('%intel'):
-            env['CC'] = spack_cxx
-
     @run_before('build')
     def set_backend(self):
         """Set build options with regards to backend GUI libraries."""