The convective instability activated by the sole effect of viscous dissipation in a fluid saturated porous layer is studied. The basic parallel flow in a highly permeable porous medium is analysed by considering the viscous heating contribution in the local energy balance, by assuming a thermally insulated lower boundary and an isothermal upper boundary. The Brinkman model of momentum transfer is adopted. Arbitrarily oriented oblique roll disturbances are considered in the linear stability analysis. Among them, the longitudinal rolls, having axis parallel to the basic flow direction, are shown to be the preferred mode of instability. Some considerations on the reliability of the Brinkman model, when the viscous dissipation contribution is not negligible and when the flow conditions are close to the limiting case of a clear fluid, are finally expressed.