diff --git a/.kokoro/continuous/system.cfg b/.kokoro/continuous/system.cfg
index bda5345ece..f5ed200a12 100644
--- a/.kokoro/continuous/system.cfg
+++ b/.kokoro/continuous/system.cfg
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ env_vars: {
 # Run system tests in parallel, splitting up by file
 env_vars: {
     key: "PYTEST_ADDOPTS"
-    value: "-n=auto --dist=loadscope"
+    value: "-n=16 --dist=loadscope"
 }
 
 # Kokoro VM timeout of 12 hours for system tests