diff --git a/python/build/openssl.py b/python/build/openssl.py
index 88f221c9e..a266db389 100644
--- a/python/build/openssl.py
+++ b/python/build/openssl.py
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@ class OpenSSLProject(MakeProject):
             'no-tests',
             'no-makedepend',
             '--libdir=lib', # no "lib64" on amd64, please
-            openssl_arch,
             '--prefix=' + toolchain.install_prefix,
         ]
 
@@ -73,5 +72,8 @@ class OpenSSLProject(MakeProject):
             # workaround for build failures
             configure.append('no-asm')
 
+        if toolchain.host_triplet is not None:
+            configure.append(openssl_archs[toolchain.host_triplet])
+
         subprocess.check_call(configure, cwd=src, env=toolchain.env)
         self.build_make(toolchain, src)