diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9e848cd..89b0462 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Then compile and install laminar with:
 git clone https://github.com/ohwgiles/laminar.git
 cd laminar
 cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr
-make -j4
+make -j "$(nproc)"
 # Warning: the following will overwrite an existing /etc/laminar.conf
 sudo make install
 ```