diff --git a/doc/backportpackage.1 b/doc/backportpackage.1
index db0ea26..3ffb615 100644
--- a/doc/backportpackage.1
+++ b/doc/backportpackage.1
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ defaults to \fB~ppa1\fR, otherwise the default is blank.
 .B \-b\fR, \fB\-\-build
 Build the package with the specified builder before uploading. Note
 for \fBpbuilder\fR(8) users: This assumes the common configuration,
-where the \fBDIST\fR environment is read by \fBpbuilderrc\fR(5) to
-select the correct base image.
+where the \fBARCH\fR and \fBDIST\fR environment is read by \fBpbuilderrc\fR(5)
+to select the correct base image.
 .TP
 .B \-B \fIBUILDER\fR, \fB\-\-builder\fR=\fIBUILDER
 Use the specified builder to build the package. Supported are
diff --git a/doc/sponsor-patch.1 b/doc/sponsor-patch.1
index 9b870f1..9fd871a 100644
--- a/doc/sponsor-patch.1
+++ b/doc/sponsor-patch.1
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ The output of the build tool will be placed in \fIworkdir\fR/\fBbuildresult/\fR.
 .TP
 .BR \-b ", " \-\-build
 Build the package with the specified builder. Note for \fBpbuilder\fR(8) users:
-This assumes the common configuration, where the \fBDIST\fR environment is read
-by \fBpbuilderrc\fR(5) to select the correct base image.
+This assumes the common configuration, where the \fBARCH\fR and \fBDIST\fR
+environment is read by \fBpbuilderrc\fR(5) to select the correct base image.
 .TP
 .B \-B \fIBUILDER\fR, \fB\-\-builder\fR=\fIBUILDER
 Use the specify builder to build the package.
diff --git a/ubuntutools/builder.py b/ubuntutools/builder.py
index 6e51283..ccf11ca 100644
--- a/ubuntutools/builder.py
+++ b/ubuntutools/builder.py
@@ -60,17 +60,18 @@ class Pbuilder(Builder):
 
     def build(self, dsc_file, dist, result_directory):
         _build_preparation(result_directory)
-        # TODO: Do not rely on a specific pbuilder configuration.
-        cmd = ["sudo", "-E", "DIST=" + dist, "pbuilder", "--build",
-               "--distribution", dist, "--architecture", self.architecture,
+        cmd = ["sudo", "-E", "ARCH=" + self.architecture, "DIST=" + dist,
+               "pbuilder", "--build",
+               "--architecture", self.architecture, "--distribution", dist,
                "--buildresult", result_directory, dsc_file]
         Logger.command(cmd)
         returncode = subprocess.call(cmd)
         return self._build_failure(returncode, dsc_file)
 
     def update(self, dist):
-        cmd = ["sudo", "-E", "DIST=" + dist, "pbuilder", "--update",
-               "--distribution", dist, "--architecture", self.architecture]
+        cmd = ["sudo", "-E", "ARCH=" + self.architecture, "DIST=" + dist,
+               "pbuilder", "--update",
+               "--architecture", self.architecture, "--distribution", dist]
         Logger.command(cmd)
         returncode = subprocess.call(cmd)
         return self._update_failure(returncode, dist)