diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/pixman/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/pixman/package.py
index 39041587f59..41aad0c90ad 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/pixman/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/pixman/package.py
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ class Pixman(Package):
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
         configure("--prefix=%s" % prefix,
+                  "--disable-mmx",
                   "--disable-gtk")
         make()
         make("install")