diff --git a/snakemake/__init__.py b/snakemake/__init__.py
index 4ceb05bab..3fcddb72d 100644
--- a/snakemake/__init__.py
+++ b/snakemake/__init__.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def snakemake(
     listrules=False,
     list_target_rules=False,
     cores=1,
-    nodes=1,
+    nodes=None,
     local_cores=1,
     max_threads=None,
     resources=dict(),
diff --git a/tests/tests.py b/tests/tests.py
index abad5dc63..d9eacb628 100644
--- a/tests/tests.py
+++ b/tests/tests.py
@@ -860,7 +860,7 @@ def test_pipes():
 @skip_on_windows
 def test_pipes_multiple():
     # see github issue #975
-    run(dpath("test_pipes_multiple"))
+    run(dpath("test_pipes_multiple"), cores=5)
 
 
 def test_pipes_fail():