diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/qt-4.x/4.8/qmake-hook.sh b/pkgs/development/libraries/qt-4.x/4.8/qmake-hook.sh
index bf716a72d0f..f288e99dd12 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/qt-4.x/4.8/qmake-hook.sh
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/qt-4.x/4.8/qmake-hook.sh
@@ -3,6 +3,11 @@ qmakeConfigurePhase() {
 
     $QMAKE PREFIX=$out $qmakeFlags
 
+    if ! [[ -v enableParallelBuilding ]]; then
+        enableParallelBuilding=1
+        echo "qmake4Hook: enabled parallel building"
+    fi
+
     runHook postConfigure
 }