diff --git a/packages/core/parcel-bundler/bin/cli.js b/packages/core/parcel-bundler/bin/cli.js
index bcf058add51..0a63cdf59b4 100755
--- a/packages/core/parcel-bundler/bin/cli.js
+++ b/packages/core/parcel-bundler/bin/cli.js
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env node
 
+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