diff --git a/compiler/globals.py b/compiler/globals.py
index dd4ac177..e1bb8661 100644
--- a/compiler/globals.py
+++ b/compiler/globals.py
@@ -55,6 +55,11 @@ def parse_args():
                              action="store_false",
                              help="Disable all LVS/DRC checks",
                              dest="check_lvsdrc"),
+        optparse.make_option("-j", "--threads",
+                             action="store",
+                             type="int",
+                             help="Specify the number of threads (default: 2)",
+                             dest="num_threads"),
         optparse.make_option("-v",
                              "--verbose",
                              action="count",
diff --git a/compiler/options.py b/compiler/options.py
index 632cd34f..2221f85f 100644
--- a/compiler/options.py
+++ b/compiler/options.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import optparse
 import getpass
 import os
 
+
 class options(optparse.Values):
     """
     Class for holding all of the OpenRAM options. All