diff --git a/.gitlab-ci/meson-build.sh b/.gitlab-ci/meson-build.sh
index cde92ba9..df2a6a46 100755
--- a/.gitlab-ci/meson-build.sh
+++ b/.gitlab-ci/meson-build.sh
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ fi
 
 if [[ -n "$FDO_CI_CONCURRENT" ]]; then
 	NINJA_ARGS="-j$FDO_CI_CONCURRENT $NINJA_ARGS"
-	MESON_TESTTHREADS="$FDO_CI_CONCURRENT"
+	export MESON_TESTTHREADS="$FDO_CI_CONCURRENT"
 fi
 
 echo "*************************************************"