diff --git a/vlib/v/pref/pref.v b/vlib/v/pref/pref.v
index f73c1479fa..9d75a9e05d 100644
--- a/vlib/v/pref/pref.v
+++ b/vlib/v/pref/pref.v
@@ -763,7 +763,8 @@ pub fn get_host_arch() Arch {
 	// need a comptime `$if native {` too, and/or a mechanism to always
 	// generate all branches for specific functions?
 	if C.__V_architecture <= int(Arch._auto) || C.__V_architecture >= int(Arch._max) {
-		panic('unknown host CPU architecture')
+		eprintln('unknown host CPU architecture')
+		return Arch.amd64
 	}
 	return Arch(C.__V_architecture)
 }