diff --git a/ext/libv8/compiler.rb b/ext/libv8/compiler.rb
index 63b6d1f..91f48e2 100644
--- a/ext/libv8/compiler.rb
+++ b/ext/libv8/compiler.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ module Libv8
 
     def compiler
       unless defined?(@compiler)
-        cc   = check_gcc_compiler "g++"
+        cc   = check_gcc_compiler ENV['CXX']
+        cc ||= check_gcc_compiler "g++"
 
         # Check alternative GCC names
         # These are common on BSD's after