diff --git a/tools/perf/util/event.c b/tools/perf/util/event.c
index 5516236df6ab..9d0985131252 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/event.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/event.c
@@ -183,8 +183,18 @@ static int perf_event__synthesize_fork(struct perf_tool *tool,
 {
 	memset(&event->fork, 0, sizeof(event->fork) + machine->id_hdr_size);
 
-	event->fork.ppid = ppid;
-	event->fork.ptid = ppid;
+	/*
+	 * for main thread set parent to ppid from status file. For other
+	 * threads set parent pid to main thread. ie., assume main thread
+	 * spawns all threads in a process
+	*/
+	if (tgid == pid) {
+		event->fork.ppid = ppid;
+		event->fork.ptid = ppid;
+	} else {
+		event->fork.ppid = tgid;
+		event->fork.ptid = tgid;
+	}
 	event->fork.pid  = tgid;
 	event->fork.tid  = pid;
 	event->fork.header.type = PERF_RECORD_FORK;