diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
index 46c1307826ef..b776271a7a0b 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pybind11/default.nix
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   postBuild = ''
     # build tests
-    make
+    make -j $NIX_BUILD_CORES -l $NIX_BUILD_CORES
   '';
 
   postInstall = ''