diff --git a/src/superqt/utils/_qthreading.py b/src/superqt/utils/_qthreading.py
index 8b1cf1e..5816490 100644
--- a/src/superqt/utils/_qthreading.py
+++ b/src/superqt/utils/_qthreading.py
@@ -247,8 +247,13 @@ class WorkerBase(QRunnable, Generic[_R]):
 
         self._worker_set.add(self)
         self._finished.connect(self._set_discard)
-        start_ = partial(QThreadPool.globalInstance().start, self)
-        QTimer.singleShot(10, start_)
+        if QThread.currentThread().loopLevel():
+            # if we're in a thread with an eventloop, queue the worker to start
+            start_ = partial(QThreadPool.globalInstance().start, self)
+            QTimer.singleShot(1, start_)
+        else:
+            # otherwise start it immediately
+            QThreadPool.globalInstance().start(self)
 
     @classmethod
     def _set_discard(cls, obj: WorkerBase) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/test_threadworker.py b/tests/test_threadworker.py
index 9ee8c40..2c9b52d 100644
--- a/tests/test_threadworker.py
+++ b/tests/test_threadworker.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import time
 import warnings
 from functools import partial
 from operator import eq
+from unittest.mock import Mock
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -274,3 +275,20 @@ def test_abort_does_not_return(qtbot):
     assert loop_counter < 4
     assert abort_counter == 1
     assert return_counter == 0
+
+
+def test_nested_threads_start(qtbot):
+    mock1 = Mock()
+    mock2 = Mock()
+
+    def call_mock():
+        mock1()
+        worker2 = qthreading.create_worker(mock2)
+        worker2.start()
+
+    worker = qthreading.create_worker(call_mock)
+    worker.start()
+
+    qtbot.wait(20)
+    mock1.assert_called_once()
+    mock2.assert_called_once()