A technique for scheduling execution of threads at a processor is disclosed. The technique includes executing a thread de-emphasis instruction of a thread that de-emphasizes the thread until the number of pending memory transactions, such as cache misses, associated with the thread are at or below a threshold. While the thread is de-emphasized, other threads at the processor that have a higher priority can be executed or assigned system resources. Accordingly, the likelihood of a stall in the processor is reduced.