diff --git a/src/dynamics/mpas/Makefile b/src/dynamics/mpas/Makefile
index 89c4d71931..40cb0f8228 100644
--- a/src/dynamics/mpas/Makefile
+++ b/src/dynamics/mpas/Makefile
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
 CPPFLAGS := -D_MPI -DMPAS_NATIVE_TIMERS -DMPAS_GIT_VERSION=unknown -DMPAS_NAMELIST_SUFFIX=atmosphere -DMPAS_CAM_DYCORE -DMPAS_NO_ESMF_INIT
+ifdef GPUFLAGS
+  CPPFLAGS += -DMPAS_OPENACC
+  FFLAGS += $(GPUFLAGS)
+endif
 ifdef PIODEF
   CPPFLAGS += $(PIODEF)
 endif