diff --git a/packages/core/parcel-bundler/index.js b/packages/core/parcel-bundler/index.js
index ffabe9c06e5..76deac9d0c7 100644
--- a/packages/core/parcel-bundler/index.js
+++ b/packages/core/parcel-bundler/index.js
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+process.env.UV_THREADPOOL_SIZE = process.env.UV_THREADPOOL_SIZE || 16
+
 // Node 8 supports native async functions - no need to use compiled code!
 module.exports = parseInt(process.versions.node, 10) < 8
   ? require('./lib/Bundler')
diff --git a/packages/core/parcel-bundler/src/cli.js b/packages/core/parcel-bundler/src/cli.js
index 6fd3f2eb098..db6c74bace0 100755
--- a/packages/core/parcel-bundler/src/cli.js
+++ b/packages/core/parcel-bundler/src/cli.js
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+process.env.UV_THREADPOOL_SIZE = process.env.UV_THREADPOOL_SIZE || 16
+
 require('v8-compile-cache');
 const chalk = require('chalk');
 const program = require('commander');