diff --git a/xbps-src b/xbps-src
index 5296e22cc7d..e26e1f68945 100755
--- a/xbps-src
+++ b/xbps-src
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ while getopts "a:CEfgGhH:Ij:Lm:No:r:tV" opt; do
         H) readonly XBPS_HOSTDIR="$(readlink -m $OPTARG 2>/dev/null)"; XBPS_OPTIONS+=" -H $XBPS_HOSTDIR";;
         h) usage && exit 0;;
         I) readonly XBPS_SKIP_DEPS=1; XBPS_OPTIONS+=" -I";;
-        j) readonly XBPS_MAKEJOBS="$OPTARG"; XBPS_OPTIONS+=" -j $OPTARG";;
+        j) export XBPS_MAKEJOBS="$OPTARG"; XBPS_OPTIONS+=" -j $OPTARG";;
         L) export NOCOLORS=1; XBPS_OPTIONS+=" -L";;
         m) readonly XBPS_MASTERDIR=$(readlink -m $OPTARG 2>/dev/null); XBPS_OPTIONS+=" -m $XBPS_MASTERDIR";;
         N) readonly XBPS_SKIP_REMOTEREPOS=1; XBPS_OPTIONS+=" -N";;