diff --git a/scripts/install_protobuf.sh b/scripts/install_protobuf.sh
index 36d18ea42..041cdba0a 100755
--- a/scripts/install_protobuf.sh
+++ b/scripts/install_protobuf.sh
@@ -1,26 +1,26 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 
 set -euo pipefail
 
 git clone \
   --recurse-submodules \
   --single-branch \
   -b v3.15.8 \
   https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf
 
 pushd protobuf || exit
 
 mkdir cmake-build
 pushd cmake-build || exit
 
 cmake ../cmake \
   -Dprotobuf_BUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON \
   -Dprotobuf_ABSL_PROVIDER=package \
   -Dprotobuf_BUILD_TESTS=OFF
 
-make install -j "$(nproc)" -l "$(nproc)"
+make install -j "$(nproc || sysctl -n hw.physicalcpu)"
 
 popd || exit # cmake-build
 popd || exit # protobuf
 
 rm -rf protobuf