diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/openblas/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/openblas/package.py
index b6a81c2055e..bfa5a16b42a 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/openblas/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/openblas/package.py
@@ -76,6 +76,12 @@ def check_compilers(self):
                 'OpenBLAS does not support OpenMP with clang!'
             )
 
+        spec = self.spec
+        if spec.satisfies('%clang@8.1.0:') and spec.satisfies('@:0.2.19'):
+            raise InstallError(
+                'OpenBLAS @:0.2.19 does not build with Apple clang@8.1.0:'
+            )
+
     @property
     def make_defs(self):
         # Configure fails to pick up fortran from FC=/abs/path/to/f77, but