diff --git a/compass/machines/pm-cpu.cfg b/compass/machines/pm-cpu.cfg
index 50d2cf84b9..b4a1f1744c 100644
--- a/compass/machines/pm-cpu.cfg
+++ b/compass/machines/pm-cpu.cfg
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ compiler = gnu
 # the system MPI library to use for gnu compiler
 mpi_gnu = mpich
 
+# the system MPI library to use for intel compiler
+mpi_intel = mpich
+
 # the base path for spack environments used by compass
 spack = /global/cfs/cdirs/e3sm/software/compass/pm-cpu/spack