diff --git a/recipe/build.sh b/recipe/build.sh
index afe77849..58d8954a 100644
--- a/recipe/build.sh
+++ b/recipe/build.sh
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ if [[ "$CONDA_BUILD_CROSS_COMPILATION" == "1" ]]; then
            ;;
         ppc64le)
            DEST_ARCH=ppc64
+           # define _WANT_SNAN for issignaling()
+           export CPPFLAGS="$CPPFLAGS -D_WANT_SNAN"
            ;;
         *)
            echo "unknown architecture for cross"
@@ -49,7 +51,7 @@ if [[ "$CONDA_BUILD_CROSS_COMPILATION" == "1" ]]; then
            exit 1
            ;;
     esac
-    
+
     EXTRA_ARGS="--cross-compiling --dest-os=$DEST_OS --dest-cpu=$DEST_ARCH"
 fi