diff --git a/etc/settings.csh b/etc/settings.csh
index 4e5677e3d9..487d4c0a7f 100644
--- a/etc/settings.csh
+++ b/etc/settings.csh
@@ -381,6 +381,10 @@ case SYSTEMOPENMPI:
     setenv PLIBS "`mpicc --showme:link`"
     set libDir=`echo "$PLIBS" | sed -e 's/.*-L\([^ ]*\).*/\1/'`
 
+    # Bit of a hack: strip off 'lib' and hope this is the path to openmpi
+    # include files and libraries.
+    setenv MPI_ARCH_PATH "${libDir:h}"
+
     if ($?FOAM_VERBOSE && $?prompt) then
         echo "Using system installed MPI:"
         echo "    compile flags : $PINC"
diff --git a/etc/settings.sh b/etc/settings.sh
index d7fcf2e254..252ae72b29 100644
--- a/etc/settings.sh
+++ b/etc/settings.sh
@@ -402,6 +402,10 @@ SYSTEMOPENMPI)
     export PLIBS="`mpicc --showme:link`"
     libDir=`echo "$PLIBS" | sed -e 's/.*-L\([^ ]*\).*/\1/'`
 
+    # Bit of a hack: strip off 'lib' and hope this is the path to openmpi
+    # include files and libraries.
+    export MPI_ARCH_PATH="${libDir%/*}"
+
     if [ "$FOAM_VERBOSE" -a "$PS1" ]
     then
         echo "Using system installed MPI:"