diff --git a/nixos/tests/installer.nix b/nixos/tests/installer.nix
index de4bb399c16e..7eaa1c3fbd90 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/installer.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/installer.nix
@@ -284,7 +284,9 @@ let
             extraInstallerConfig
           ];
 
+          # builds stuff in the VM, needs more juice
           virtualisation.diskSize = 8 * 1024;
+          virtualisation.cores = 8;
           virtualisation.memorySize = 1536;
 
           # Use a small /dev/vdb as the root disk for the