diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index af78203761..0a6142b051 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ nvcc_wrapper-vortex:
   stage: build
   script:
     - source /projects/empire/installs/vortex/CUDA-10.1.243_GNU-7.3.1_SPMPI-ROLLING-RELEASE-CUDA-STATIC/trilinos/latest-link/load_matching_env.sh
+    - module swap gcc gcc/8.3.1
     - mkdir -p /tmp/$USER
     - http_proxy=http://proxy.sandia.gov:80 https_proxy=http://proxy.sandia.gov:80 VT_RDMA_TESTS_ENABLED=0 ci/build_cpp.sh $CI_PROJECT_DIR $CI_PROJECT_DIR/vt_build_nvcc_wrapper
     - ci/test_cpp.sh $CI_PROJECT_DIR $CI_PROJECT_DIR/vt_build_nvcc_wrapper