diff --git a/tests/threads/diff.c b/tests/threads/diff.c
index 92fd7061b..90d35b15e 100644
--- a/tests/threads/diff.c
+++ b/tests/threads/diff.c
@@ -25,14 +25,19 @@ static int _retries;
 
 void test_threads_diff__initialize(void)
 {
+#ifdef GIT_WIN32
 	_retries = git_win32__retries;
 	git_win32__retries = 1;
+#endif
 }
 
 void test_threads_diff__cleanup(void)
 {
 	cl_git_sandbox_cleanup();
+
+#ifdef GIT_WIN32
 	git_win32__retries = _retries;
+#endif
 }
 
 static void setup_trees(void)