diff --git a/include/SDL_config_emscripten.h b/include/SDL_config_emscripten.h
index 7efe32373..028777df1 100644
--- a/include/SDL_config_emscripten.h
+++ b/include/SDL_config_emscripten.h
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@
 /* Enable various threading systems */
 #ifdef __EMSCRIPTEN_PTHREADS__
 #define SDL_THREAD_PTHREAD 1
+#define SDL_THREAD_PTHREAD_RECURSIVE_MUTEX 1
 #endif
 
 /* Enable various timer systems */