diff --git a/mp_compile.py b/mp_compile.py
index 078f62476..8f86f0bee 100644
--- a/mp_compile.py
+++ b/mp_compile.py
@@ -56,13 +56,14 @@ def install():
 
     fl_pypy3 = hasattr(sys, 'pypy_version_info') and sys.version_info > (3, 0)
     fl_win = sys.platform.startswith('win')
+    fl_cygwin = sys.platform.startswith('cygwin')
 
     if fl_pypy3:
         # see https://github.com/travis-ci/travis-ci/issues/3587
         print("Single threaded build for pypy3")
         return
 
-    if fl_win:
+    if fl_win or fl_cygwin:
         #windows barfs on multiprocessing installs
         print("Single threaded build for windows")
         return