diff --git a/src/python/grpcio/commands.py b/src/python/grpcio/commands.py
index e50ccbe23e7..f196b028a76 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio/commands.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio/commands.py
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ class BuildExt(build_ext.build_ext):
     """Custom build_ext command to enable compiler-specific flags."""
 
     C_OPTIONS = {
-        'unix': ('-pthread', '-std=gnu99'),
+        'unix': ('-pthread',),
         'msvc': (),
     }
     LINK_OPTIONS = {}