diff --git a/dtls/Makefile b/dtls/Makefile
index f49edfac..5297077f 100644
--- a/dtls/Makefile
+++ b/dtls/Makefile
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ all: $(TARGETS)
 debug: CFLAGS+=$(DEBUG_FLAGS)
 debug: all
 
+# add the -pthread flag and -lpthread lib to any threaded examples
+%-threaded: CFLAGS+=-pthread
+%-threaded: LIBS+=-lpthread
+
 # build template
 %: %.c
 	$(CC) -o $@ $< $(CFLAGS) $(LIBS)