diff --git a/test/test_core.py b/test/test_core.py
index 275facd91e64c..e4aab1e160b3c 100644
--- a/test/test_core.py
+++ b/test/test_core.py
@@ -1897,6 +1897,8 @@ def test_em_asm_2(self):
     'pthread': (['-pthread', '-sPROXY_TO_PTHREAD', '-sEXIT_RUNTIME'],),
   })
   def test_main_thread_em_asm(self, args):
+    if args:
+      self.setup_node_pthreads()
     src = read_file(test_file('core/test_em_asm_2.cpp'))
     create_file('test.cpp', src.replace('EM_ASM', 'MAIN_THREAD_EM_ASM'))