diff --git a/Wrapping/Generators/Python/Tests/extras.py b/Wrapping/Generators/Python/Tests/extras.py
index 2e57493e528..9b72689f4cd 100644
--- a/Wrapping/Generators/Python/Tests/extras.py
+++ b/Wrapping/Generators/Python/Tests/extras.py
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ def custom_callback(name, progress):
 import sys
 import os
 
+# test setting the number of threads
+itk.set_nthreads(4)
+assert itk.get_nthreads() == 4
+
 # test the force load function
 itk.force_load()
 
diff --git a/Wrapping/Generators/Python/itkExtras.py b/Wrapping/Generators/Python/itkExtras.py
index feb95d77df3..51a697fa556 100644
--- a/Wrapping/Generators/Python/itkExtras.py
+++ b/Wrapping/Generators/Python/itkExtras.py
@@ -27,6 +27,26 @@
 # [K erases the end of the line
 clrLine = "\033[2000D\033[K"
 
+def set_nthreads(number_of_threads):
+    """
+    Support convenient set of the number of threads.
+    Use example (in python):
+        import itk
+        itk.set_nthreads(4)  ## use 4 threads
+    """
+    assert number_of_threads > 0, "Please set a possitive number of threads instead of %d" % number_of_threads
+
+    import itk
+    threader = itk.MultiThreaderBase.New()
+    threader.SetGlobalDefaultNumberOfThreads(number_of_threads)
+
+def get_nthreads():
+    """
+    Get the number of threads
+    """
+    import itk
+    threader = itk.MultiThreaderBase.New()
+    return threader.GetGlobalDefaultNumberOfThreads()
 
 def auto_not_in_place(v=True):
     """Force it to not run in place