diff --git a/hosts/dumpyourvms/dumpyourvms.nix b/hosts/dumpyourvms/dumpyourvms.nix
index 301a6503..80413dae 100644
--- a/hosts/dumpyourvms/dumpyourvms.nix
+++ b/hosts/dumpyourvms/dumpyourvms.nix
@@ -44,6 +44,9 @@ in {
     };
   };
 
+  # Avoid nix builds making the laptop hang by reserving 1 core
+  nix.settings.cores = 7;
+
   networking.hostName = "dumpyourvms";
 
   services.resolved = {