diff --git a/dpnp/__init__.py b/dpnp/__init__.py
index 9478c3aef6c8..fc3fc5ff33fc 100644
--- a/dpnp/__init__.py
+++ b/dpnp/__init__.py
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@
         os.add_dll_directory(dpctlpath)
     os.environ["PATH"] = os.pathsep.join([os.getenv("PATH", ""), mypath, dpctlpath])
 
+# workaround against hanging in OneMKL calls
+os.environ.setdefault('SYCL_QUEUE_THREAD_POOL_SIZE', '6')
 
 from dpnp.dpnp_array import dpnp_array as ndarray
 from dpnp.dpnp_flatiter import flatiter as flatiter