diff --git a/machine-learning/start.sh b/machine-learning/start.sh
index 7a35c1fd51..6b8e55a236 100755
--- a/machine-learning/start.sh
+++ b/machine-learning/start.sh
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ fi
 
 : "${IMMICH_HOST:=[::]}"
 : "${IMMICH_PORT:=3003}"
+: "${MACHINE_LEARNING_WORKERS:=1}"
 
 gunicorn app.main:app \
 	-k app.config.CustomUvicornWorker \