diff --git a/extensions/openpower-pels/pel.cpp b/extensions/openpower-pels/pel.cpp
index de70b53..898dce5 100644
--- a/extensions/openpower-pels/pel.cpp
+++ b/extensions/openpower-pels/pel.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,12 @@
         const auto& sbeFFDCFiles = sbeFFDCPtr->getSbeFFDC();
         ffdcFiles.insert(ffdcFiles.end(), sbeFFDCFiles.begin(),
                          sbeFFDCFiles.end());
+
+        // update pel priority for spare clock failures
+        if (auto customSeverity = sbeFFDCPtr->getSeverity())
+        {
+            severity = customSeverity.value();
+        }
     }
 #endif