--- a/mercurial/worker.py	Fri Jan 08 21:47:31 2021 +0530
+++ b/mercurial/worker.py	Mon Dec 28 01:05:09 2020 +0100
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@
 
 if pycompat.ispy3:
 
+    def ismainthread():
+        return threading.current_thread() == threading.main_thread()
+
     class _blockingreader(object):
         def __init__(self, wrapped):
             self._wrapped = wrapped
@@ -100,6 +103,9 @@
 
 else:
 
+    def ismainthread():
+        return isinstance(threading.current_thread(), threading._MainThread)
+
     def _blockingreader(wrapped):
         return wrapped
 
@@ -155,6 +161,11 @@
     release the GIL.
     """
     enabled = ui.configbool(b'worker', b'enabled')
+    if enabled and _platformworker is _posixworker and not ismainthread():
+        # The POSIX worker has to install a handler for SIGCHLD.
+        # Python up to 3.9 only allows this in the main thread.
+        enabled = False
+
     if enabled and worthwhile(ui, costperarg, len(args), threadsafe=threadsafe):
         return _platformworker(ui, func, staticargs, args, hasretval)
     return func(*staticargs + (args,))