diff --git a/R/class-workbook-wrappers.R b/R/class-workbook-wrappers.R
index 794e6afa3..9b83bdd57 100644
--- a/R/class-workbook-wrappers.R
+++ b/R/class-workbook-wrappers.R
@@ -2974,6 +2974,11 @@ wb_add_thread <- function(
     reply     = FALSE,
     resolve   = FALSE
 ) {
+
+  if (missing(person_id)) {
+    person_id <- substitute()
+  }
+
   assert_workbook(wb)
   wb$clone()$add_thread(
     sheet     = sheet,
diff --git a/R/class-workbook.R b/R/class-workbook.R
index 457964ee4..494a54f0f 100644
--- a/R/class-workbook.R
+++ b/R/class-workbook.R
@@ -3746,6 +3746,11 @@ wbWorkbook <- R6::R6Class(
       resolve    = FALSE
     ) {
 
+      if (missing(person_id)) {
+        person_id <- getOption("openxlsx2.thread_id")
+        if (is.null(person_id)) stop("no person id found")
+      }
+
       sheet <- self$validate_sheet(sheet)
       wb_cmt <- wb_get_comment(self, sheet, dims)
 
@@ -6874,6 +6879,8 @@ wbWorkbook <- R6::R6Class(
         )
       )
 
+      options("openxlsx2.thread_id" = id)
+
       if (is.null(self$persons)) {
         self$persons <- xml_node_create(
           "personList",
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-class-comment.R b/tests/testthat/test-class-comment.R
index 06fcc9ea1..b1675381f 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/test-class-comment.R
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-class-comment.R
@@ -236,3 +236,15 @@ test_that("threaded comments work", {
   expect_equal(exp, got)
 
 })
+
+test_that("thread option works", {
+
+  wb <- wb_workbook()$add_worksheet()
+  wb$add_person(name = "Kirk")
+  wb <- wb %>% wb_add_thread(comment = "works")
+
+  exp <- "works"
+  got <- wb_get_thread(wb)$text
+  expect_equal(exp, got)
+
+})