diff --git a/lib/java_buildpack/jre/open_jdk_like_memory_calculator.rb b/lib/java_buildpack/jre/open_jdk_like_memory_calculator.rb
index 245407ae3b..65e864c3b3 100644
--- a/lib/java_buildpack/jre/open_jdk_like_memory_calculator.rb
+++ b/lib/java_buildpack/jre/open_jdk_like_memory_calculator.rb
@@ -59,7 +59,9 @@ def memory_calculation_command
       end
 
       # (see JavaBuildpack::Component::BaseComponent#release)
-      def release; end
+      def release
+        @droplet.environment_variables.add_environment_variable 'MALLOC_ARENA_MAX', 2
+      end
 
       protected
 
diff --git a/spec/java_buildpack/jre/open_jdk_like_memory_calculator_spec.rb b/spec/java_buildpack/jre/open_jdk_like_memory_calculator_spec.rb
index 4c4c0d8f67..18ed1cafc7 100644
--- a/spec/java_buildpack/jre/open_jdk_like_memory_calculator_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/java_buildpack/jre/open_jdk_like_memory_calculator_spec.rb
@@ -99,4 +99,10 @@
     component.compile
   end
 
+  it 'adds MALLOC_ARENA_MAX to environment' do
+    component.release
+
+    expect(environment_variables).to include('MALLOC_ARENA_MAX=2')
+  end
+
 end