diff --git a/core/iwasm/aot/aot_runtime.c b/core/iwasm/aot/aot_runtime.c
index 9d4d763b5b..5fa5438bd0 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/aot/aot_runtime.c
+++ b/core/iwasm/aot/aot_runtime.c
@@ -899,24 +899,6 @@ create_exports(AOTModuleInstance *module_inst, AOTModule *module,
     return create_export_funcs(module_inst, module, error_buf, error_buf_size);
 }
 
-static bool
-clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(AOTModuleInstance *module_inst)
-{
-#if WASM_ENABLE_LIBC_WASI != 0
-    const char *exception = aot_get_exception(module_inst);
-    if (exception && !strcmp(exception, "Exception: wasi proc exit")) {
-        /* The "wasi proc exit" exception is thrown by native lib to
-           let wasm app exit, which is a normal behavior, we clear
-           the exception here. */
-        aot_set_exception(module_inst, NULL);
-        return true;
-    }
-    return false;
-#else
-    return false;
-#endif
-}
-
 static bool
 execute_post_inst_function(AOTModuleInstance *module_inst)
 {
@@ -956,7 +938,6 @@ execute_start_function(AOTModuleInstance *module_inst)
     u.f(exec_env);
 
     wasm_exec_env_destroy(exec_env);
-    (void)clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(module_inst);
     return !aot_get_exception(module_inst);
 }
 
@@ -1407,13 +1388,6 @@ aot_call_function(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, AOTFunctionInstance *function,
         ret = invoke_native_internal(exec_env, function->u.func.func_ptr,
                                      func_type, NULL, NULL, argv1, argc, argv);
 
-        if (!ret || aot_get_exception(module_inst)) {
-            if (clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(module_inst))
-                ret = true;
-            else
-                ret = false;
-        }
-
 #if WASM_ENABLE_DUMP_CALL_STACK != 0
         if (!ret) {
             if (aot_create_call_stack(exec_env)) {
@@ -1473,9 +1447,6 @@ aot_call_function(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, AOTFunctionInstance *function,
         ret = invoke_native_internal(exec_env, function->u.func.func_ptr,
                                      func_type, NULL, NULL, argv, argc, argv);
 
-        if (clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(module_inst))
-            ret = true;
-
 #if WASM_ENABLE_DUMP_CALL_STACK != 0
         if (aot_get_exception(module_inst)) {
             if (aot_create_call_stack(exec_env)) {
@@ -1516,7 +1487,7 @@ aot_create_exec_env_and_call_function(AOTModuleInstance *module_inst,
         }
     }
 
-    ret = aot_call_function(exec_env, func, argc, argv);
+    ret = wasm_runtime_call_wasm(exec_env, func, argc, argv);
 
     /* don't destroy the exec_env if it isn't created in this function */
     if (!existing_exec_env)
@@ -2006,9 +1977,6 @@ aot_call_indirect(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, uint32 tbl_idx, uint32 table_elem_idx,
     }
 
 fail:
-    if (clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(module_inst))
-        return true;
-
 #ifdef OS_ENABLE_HW_BOUND_CHECK
     wasm_runtime_access_exce_check_guard_page();
 #endif
diff --git a/core/iwasm/common/wasm_exec_env.c b/core/iwasm/common/wasm_exec_env.c
index 515a60b8e9..7939c75909 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/common/wasm_exec_env.c
+++ b/core/iwasm/common/wasm_exec_env.c
@@ -181,6 +181,9 @@ wasm_exec_env_destroy(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
            the stopped thread will be overrided by other threads */
         wasm_cluster_thread_exited(exec_env);
 #endif
+        /* We have terminated other threads, this is the only alive thread, so
+         * we don't acquire cluster->lock because the cluster will be destroyed
+         * inside this function */
         wasm_cluster_del_exec_env(cluster, exec_env);
     }
 #endif /* end of WASM_ENABLE_THREAD_MGR */
diff --git a/core/iwasm/common/wasm_runtime_common.c b/core/iwasm/common/wasm_runtime_common.c
index 88dd1c19d4..aed92edf2a 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/common/wasm_runtime_common.c
+++ b/core/iwasm/common/wasm_runtime_common.c
@@ -1743,6 +1743,30 @@ wasm_runtime_finalize_call_function(WASMExecEnv *exec_env,
 }
 #endif
 
+static bool
+clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(WASMModuleInstanceCommon *module_inst_comm)
+{
+#if WASM_ENABLE_LIBC_WASI != 0
+    const char *exception;
+    WASMModuleInstance *module_inst = (WASMModuleInstance *)module_inst_comm;
+
+    bh_assert(module_inst_comm->module_type == Wasm_Module_Bytecode
+              || module_inst_comm->module_type == Wasm_Module_AoT);
+
+    exception = wasm_get_exception(module_inst);
+    if (exception && !strcmp(exception, "Exception: wasi proc exit")) {
+        /* The "wasi proc exit" exception is thrown by native lib to
+           let wasm app exit, which is a normal behavior, we clear
+           the exception here. */
+        wasm_set_exception(module_inst, NULL);
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+#else
+    return false;
+#endif
+}
+
 bool
 wasm_runtime_call_wasm(WASMExecEnv *exec_env,
                        WASMFunctionInstanceCommon *function, uint32 argc,
@@ -1783,10 +1807,15 @@ wasm_runtime_call_wasm(WASMExecEnv *exec_env,
                                 param_argc, new_argv);
 #endif
     if (!ret) {
-        if (new_argv != argv) {
-            wasm_runtime_free(new_argv);
+        if (clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(exec_env->module_inst)) {
+            ret = true;
+        }
+        else {
+            if (new_argv != argv) {
+                wasm_runtime_free(new_argv);
+            }
+            return false;
         }
-        return false;
     }
 
 #if WASM_ENABLE_REF_TYPES != 0
@@ -2150,11 +2179,25 @@ wasm_runtime_get_exec_env_singleton(WASMModuleInstanceCommon *module_inst_comm)
 void
 wasm_set_exception(WASMModuleInstance *module_inst, const char *exception)
 {
-    if (exception)
+    WASMExecEnv *exec_env = NULL;
+
+    if (exception) {
         snprintf(module_inst->cur_exception, sizeof(module_inst->cur_exception),
                  "Exception: %s", exception);
-    else
+    }
+    else {
         module_inst->cur_exception[0] = '\0';
+    }
+
+#if WASM_ENABLE_THREAD_MGR != 0
+    exec_env =
+        wasm_clusters_search_exec_env((WASMModuleInstanceCommon *)module_inst);
+    if (exec_env) {
+        wasm_cluster_spread_exception(exec_env, exception ? false : true);
+    }
+#else
+    (void)exec_env;
+#endif
 }
 
 /* clang-format off */
@@ -4179,6 +4222,8 @@ bool
 wasm_runtime_call_indirect(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, uint32 element_indices,
                            uint32 argc, uint32 argv[])
 {
+    bool ret = false;
+
     if (!wasm_runtime_exec_env_check(exec_env)) {
         LOG_ERROR("Invalid exec env stack info.");
         return false;
@@ -4190,13 +4235,18 @@ wasm_runtime_call_indirect(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, uint32 element_indices,
 
 #if WASM_ENABLE_INTERP != 0
     if (exec_env->module_inst->module_type == Wasm_Module_Bytecode)
-        return wasm_call_indirect(exec_env, 0, element_indices, argc, argv);
+        ret = wasm_call_indirect(exec_env, 0, element_indices, argc, argv);
 #endif
 #if WASM_ENABLE_AOT != 0
     if (exec_env->module_inst->module_type == Wasm_Module_AoT)
-        return aot_call_indirect(exec_env, 0, element_indices, argc, argv);
+        ret = aot_call_indirect(exec_env, 0, element_indices, argc, argv);
 #endif
-    return false;
+
+    if (!ret && clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(exec_env->module_inst)) {
+        ret = true;
+    }
+
+    return ret;
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/core/iwasm/interpreter/wasm_interp_classic.c b/core/iwasm/interpreter/wasm_interp_classic.c
index 46c5ff444f..e49b885ce7 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/interpreter/wasm_interp_classic.c
+++ b/core/iwasm/interpreter/wasm_interp_classic.c
@@ -4018,24 +4018,6 @@ fast_jit_call_func_bytecode(WASMModuleInstance *module_inst,
 #endif /* end of WASM_ENABLE_FAST_JIT != 0 */
 
 #if WASM_ENABLE_JIT != 0
-static bool
-clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(WASMModuleInstance *module_inst)
-{
-#if WASM_ENABLE_LIBC_WASI != 0
-    const char *exception = wasm_get_exception(module_inst);
-    if (exception && !strcmp(exception, "Exception: wasi proc exit")) {
-        /* The "wasi proc exit" exception is thrown by native lib to
-           let wasm app exit, which is a normal behavior, we clear
-           the exception here. */
-        wasm_set_exception(module_inst, NULL);
-        return true;
-    }
-    return false;
-#else
-    return false;
-#endif
-}
-
 static bool
 llvm_jit_call_func_bytecode(WASMModuleInstance *module_inst,
                             WASMExecEnv *exec_env,
@@ -4095,14 +4077,6 @@ llvm_jit_call_func_bytecode(WASMModuleInstance *module_inst,
         ret = wasm_runtime_invoke_native(
             exec_env, module_inst->func_ptrs[func_idx], func_type, NULL, NULL,
             argv1, argc, argv);
-
-        if (!ret || wasm_get_exception(module_inst)) {
-            if (clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(module_inst))
-                ret = true;
-            else
-                ret = false;
-        }
-
         if (!ret) {
             if (argv1 != argv1_buf)
                 wasm_runtime_free(argv1);
@@ -4147,9 +4121,6 @@ llvm_jit_call_func_bytecode(WASMModuleInstance *module_inst,
             exec_env, module_inst->func_ptrs[func_idx], func_type, NULL, NULL,
             argv, argc, argv);
 
-        if (clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(module_inst))
-            ret = true;
-
         return ret && !wasm_get_exception(module_inst) ? true : false;
     }
 }
diff --git a/core/iwasm/interpreter/wasm_runtime.c b/core/iwasm/interpreter/wasm_runtime.c
index cf363af4a1..27b3c985b7 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/interpreter/wasm_runtime.c
+++ b/core/iwasm/interpreter/wasm_runtime.c
@@ -2033,24 +2033,6 @@ wasm_lookup_table(const WASMModuleInstance *module_inst, const char *name)
 }
 #endif
 
-static bool
-clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(WASMModuleInstance *module_inst)
-{
-#if WASM_ENABLE_LIBC_WASI != 0
-    const char *exception = wasm_get_exception(module_inst);
-    if (exception && !strcmp(exception, "Exception: wasi proc exit")) {
-        /* The "wasi proc exit" exception is thrown by native lib to
-           let wasm app exit, which is a normal behavior, we clear
-           the exception here. */
-        wasm_set_exception(module_inst, NULL);
-        return true;
-    }
-    return false;
-#else
-    return false;
-#endif
-}
-
 #ifdef OS_ENABLE_HW_BOUND_CHECK
 
 static void
@@ -2160,7 +2142,6 @@ wasm_call_function(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, WASMFunctionInstance *function,
     wasm_exec_env_set_thread_info(exec_env);
 
     interp_call_wasm(module_inst, exec_env, function, argc, argv);
-    (void)clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(module_inst);
     return !wasm_get_exception(module_inst) ? true : false;
 }
 
@@ -2188,7 +2169,7 @@ wasm_create_exec_env_and_call_function(WASMModuleInstance *module_inst,
         }
     }
 
-    ret = wasm_call_function(exec_env, func, argc, argv);
+    ret = wasm_runtime_call_wasm(exec_env, func, argc, argv);
 
     /* don't destroy the exec_env if it isn't created in this function */
     if (!existing_exec_env)
@@ -2458,7 +2439,6 @@ call_indirect(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, uint32 tbl_idx, uint32 elem_idx,
 
     interp_call_wasm(module_inst, exec_env, func_inst, argc, argv);
 
-    (void)clear_wasi_proc_exit_exception(module_inst);
     return !wasm_get_exception(module_inst) ? true : false;
 
 got_exception:
diff --git a/core/iwasm/libraries/lib-pthread/lib_pthread_wrapper.c b/core/iwasm/libraries/lib-pthread/lib_pthread_wrapper.c
index 2fb7033f36..3bf3269b80 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/libraries/lib-pthread/lib_pthread_wrapper.c
+++ b/core/iwasm/libraries/lib-pthread/lib_pthread_wrapper.c
@@ -520,8 +520,7 @@ pthread_start_routine(void *arg)
 
     if (!wasm_runtime_call_indirect(exec_env, routine_args->elem_index, 1,
                                     argv)) {
-        if (wasm_runtime_get_exception(module_inst))
-            wasm_cluster_spread_exception(exec_env);
+        /* Exception has already been spread during throwing */
     }
 
     /* destroy pthread key values */
diff --git a/core/iwasm/libraries/thread-mgr/thread_manager.c b/core/iwasm/libraries/thread-mgr/thread_manager.c
index 4408b01331..a472a2ad3f 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/libraries/thread-mgr/thread_manager.c
+++ b/core/iwasm/libraries/thread-mgr/thread_manager.c
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ traverse_list(bh_list *l, list_visitor visitor, void *user_data)
     }
 }
 
+/* The caller must lock cluster->lock */
 static bool
 allocate_aux_stack(WASMCluster *cluster, uint32 *start, uint32 *size)
 {
@@ -86,7 +87,6 @@ allocate_aux_stack(WASMCluster *cluster, uint32 *start, uint32 *size)
     if (!cluster->stack_segment_occupied)
         return false;
 
-    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
     for (i = 0; i < cluster_max_thread_num; i++) {
         if (!cluster->stack_segment_occupied[i]) {
             if (start)
@@ -94,14 +94,14 @@ allocate_aux_stack(WASMCluster *cluster, uint32 *start, uint32 *size)
             if (size)
                 *size = cluster->stack_size;
             cluster->stack_segment_occupied[i] = true;
-            os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
             return true;
         }
     }
-    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+
     return false;
 }
 
+/* The caller must lock cluster->lock */
 static bool
 free_aux_stack(WASMCluster *cluster, uint32 start)
 {
@@ -109,9 +109,7 @@ free_aux_stack(WASMCluster *cluster, uint32 start)
 
     for (i = 0; i < cluster_max_thread_num; i++) {
         if (start == cluster->stack_tops[i]) {
-            os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
             cluster->stack_segment_occupied[i] = false;
-            os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
             return true;
         }
     }
@@ -265,20 +263,21 @@ wasm_exec_env_get_cluster(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
     return exec_env->cluster;
 }
 
-bool
+/* The caller must lock cluster->lock */
+static bool
 wasm_cluster_add_exec_env(WASMCluster *cluster, WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
 {
     bool ret = true;
 
     exec_env->cluster = cluster;
 
-    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
     if (bh_list_insert(&cluster->exec_env_list, exec_env) != 0)
         ret = false;
-    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+
     return ret;
 }
 
+/* The caller should lock cluster->lock for thread safety */
 bool
 wasm_cluster_del_exec_env(WASMCluster *cluster, WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
 {
@@ -301,10 +300,8 @@ wasm_cluster_del_exec_env(WASMCluster *cluster, WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
     }
 #endif
 
-    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
     if (bh_list_remove(&cluster->exec_env_list, exec_env) != 0)
         ret = false;
-    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 
     if (cluster->exec_env_list.len == 0) {
         /* exec_env_list empty, destroy the cluster */
@@ -374,6 +371,12 @@ wasm_cluster_spawn_exec_env(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
         return NULL;
     }
 
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+
+    if (cluster->has_exception || cluster->processing) {
+        goto fail1;
+    }
+
 #if WASM_ENABLE_INTERP != 0
     if (module_inst->module_type == Wasm_Module_Bytecode) {
         stack_size =
@@ -390,7 +393,7 @@ wasm_cluster_spawn_exec_env(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
 
     if (!(new_module_inst = wasm_runtime_instantiate_internal(
               module, true, stack_size, 0, NULL, 0))) {
-        return NULL;
+        goto fail1;
     }
 
     /* Set custom_data to new module instance */
@@ -405,32 +408,36 @@ wasm_cluster_spawn_exec_env(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
     new_exec_env = wasm_exec_env_create_internal(new_module_inst,
                                                  exec_env->wasm_stack_size);
     if (!new_exec_env)
-        goto fail1;
+        goto fail2;
 
     if (!allocate_aux_stack(cluster, &aux_stack_start, &aux_stack_size)) {
         LOG_ERROR("thread manager error: "
                   "failed to allocate aux stack space for new thread");
-        goto fail2;
+        goto fail3;
     }
 
     /* Set aux stack for current thread */
     if (!wasm_exec_env_set_aux_stack(new_exec_env, aux_stack_start,
                                      aux_stack_size)) {
-        goto fail3;
+        goto fail4;
     }
 
     if (!wasm_cluster_add_exec_env(cluster, new_exec_env))
-        goto fail3;
+        goto fail4;
+
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 
     return new_exec_env;
 
-fail3:
+fail4:
     /* free the allocated aux stack space */
     free_aux_stack(cluster, aux_stack_start);
-fail2:
+fail3:
     wasm_exec_env_destroy(new_exec_env);
-fail1:
+fail2:
     wasm_runtime_deinstantiate_internal(new_module_inst, true);
+fail1:
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 
     return NULL;
 }
@@ -443,8 +450,10 @@ wasm_cluster_destroy_spawned_exec_env(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
     bh_assert(cluster != NULL);
 
     /* Free aux stack space */
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
     free_aux_stack(cluster, exec_env->aux_stack_bottom.bottom);
     wasm_cluster_del_exec_env(cluster, exec_env);
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
     wasm_exec_env_destroy_internal(exec_env);
 
     wasm_runtime_deinstantiate_internal(module_inst, true);
@@ -468,15 +477,18 @@ thread_manager_start_routine(void *arg)
 #endif
 
     /* Routine exit */
-    /* Free aux stack space */
-    free_aux_stack(cluster, exec_env->aux_stack_bottom.bottom);
     /* Detach the native thread here to ensure the resources are freed */
     wasm_cluster_detach_thread(exec_env);
 #if WASM_ENABLE_DEBUG_INTERP != 0
     wasm_cluster_thread_exited(exec_env);
 #endif
-    /* Remove and destroy exec_env */
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    /* Free aux stack space */
+    free_aux_stack(cluster, exec_env->aux_stack_bottom.bottom);
+    /* Remove and exec_env */
     wasm_cluster_del_exec_env(cluster, exec_env);
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+    /* destroy exec_env */
     wasm_exec_env_destroy_internal(exec_env);
 
     os_thread_exit(ret);
@@ -496,25 +508,31 @@ wasm_cluster_create_thread(WASMExecEnv *exec_env,
     cluster = wasm_exec_env_get_cluster(exec_env);
     bh_assert(cluster);
 
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+
+    if (cluster->has_exception || cluster->processing) {
+        goto fail1;
+    }
+
     new_exec_env =
         wasm_exec_env_create_internal(module_inst, exec_env->wasm_stack_size);
     if (!new_exec_env)
-        return -1;
+        goto fail1;
 
     if (!allocate_aux_stack(cluster, &aux_stack_start, &aux_stack_size)) {
         LOG_ERROR("thread manager error: "
                   "failed to allocate aux stack space for new thread");
-        goto fail1;
+        goto fail2;
     }
 
     /* Set aux stack for current thread */
     if (!wasm_exec_env_set_aux_stack(new_exec_env, aux_stack_start,
                                      aux_stack_size)) {
-        goto fail2;
+        goto fail3;
     }
 
     if (!wasm_cluster_add_exec_env(cluster, new_exec_env))
-        goto fail2;
+        goto fail3;
 
     new_exec_env->thread_start_routine = thread_routine;
     new_exec_env->thread_arg = arg;
@@ -523,18 +541,23 @@ wasm_cluster_create_thread(WASMExecEnv *exec_env,
         != os_thread_create(&tid, thread_manager_start_routine,
                             (void *)new_exec_env,
                             APP_THREAD_STACK_SIZE_DEFAULT)) {
-        goto fail3;
+        goto fail4;
     }
 
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+
     return 0;
 
-fail3:
+fail4:
     wasm_cluster_del_exec_env(cluster, new_exec_env);
-fail2:
+fail3:
     /* free the allocated aux stack space */
     free_aux_stack(cluster, aux_stack_start);
-fail1:
+fail2:
     wasm_exec_env_destroy(new_exec_env);
+fail1:
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+
     return -1;
 }
 
@@ -761,17 +784,30 @@ wasm_cluster_exit_thread(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, void *retval)
     wasm_cluster_thread_exited(exec_env);
 #endif
     /* App exit the thread, free the resources before exit native thread */
-    /* Free aux stack space */
-    free_aux_stack(cluster, exec_env->aux_stack_bottom.bottom);
     /* Detach the native thread here to ensure the resources are freed */
     wasm_cluster_detach_thread(exec_env);
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    /* Free aux stack space */
+    free_aux_stack(cluster, exec_env->aux_stack_bottom.bottom);
     /* Remove and destroy exec_env */
     wasm_cluster_del_exec_env(cluster, exec_env);
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
     wasm_exec_env_destroy_internal(exec_env);
 
     os_thread_exit(retval);
 }
 
+static void
+set_thread_cancel_flags(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
+{
+    /* Set the termination flag */
+#if WASM_ENABLE_DEBUG_INTERP != 0
+    wasm_cluster_thread_send_signal(exec_env, WAMR_SIG_TERM);
+#else
+    exec_env->suspend_flags.flags |= 0x01;
+#endif
+}
+
 int32
 wasm_cluster_cancel_thread(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
 {
@@ -783,12 +819,8 @@ wasm_cluster_cancel_thread(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
     }
     os_mutex_unlock(&cluster_list_lock);
 
-    /* Set the termination flag */
-#if WASM_ENABLE_DEBUG_INTERP != 0
-    wasm_cluster_thread_send_signal(exec_env, WAMR_SIG_TERM);
-#else
-    exec_env->suspend_flags.flags |= 0x01;
-#endif
+    set_thread_cancel_flags(exec_env);
+
     return 0;
 }
 
@@ -808,15 +840,31 @@ terminate_thread_visitor(void *node, void *user_data)
 void
 wasm_cluster_terminate_all(WASMCluster *cluster)
 {
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->processing = true;
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+
     traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, terminate_thread_visitor, NULL);
+
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->processing = false;
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 }
 
 void
 wasm_cluster_terminate_all_except_self(WASMCluster *cluster,
                                        WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
 {
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->processing = true;
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+
     traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, terminate_thread_visitor,
                   (void *)exec_env);
+
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->processing = false;
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -834,15 +882,31 @@ wait_for_thread_visitor(void *node, void *user_data)
 void
 wams_cluster_wait_for_all(WASMCluster *cluster)
 {
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->processing = true;
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+
     traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, wait_for_thread_visitor, NULL);
+
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->processing = false;
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 }
 
 void
 wasm_cluster_wait_for_all_except_self(WASMCluster *cluster,
                                       WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
 {
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->processing = true;
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
+
     traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, wait_for_thread_visitor,
                   (void *)exec_env);
+
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->processing = false;
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 }
 
 bool
@@ -881,15 +945,19 @@ suspend_thread_visitor(void *node, void *user_data)
 void
 wasm_cluster_suspend_all(WASMCluster *cluster)
 {
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
     traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, suspend_thread_visitor, NULL);
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 }
 
 void
 wasm_cluster_suspend_all_except_self(WASMCluster *cluster,
                                      WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
 {
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
     traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, suspend_thread_visitor,
                   (void *)exec_env);
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 }
 
 void
@@ -910,7 +978,9 @@ resume_thread_visitor(void *node, void *user_data)
 void
 wasm_cluster_resume_all(WASMCluster *cluster)
 {
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
     traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, resume_thread_visitor, NULL);
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -919,24 +989,46 @@ set_exception_visitor(void *node, void *user_data)
     WASMExecEnv *curr_exec_env = (WASMExecEnv *)node;
     WASMExecEnv *exec_env = (WASMExecEnv *)user_data;
     WASMModuleInstanceCommon *module_inst = get_module_inst(exec_env);
-    WASMModuleInstanceCommon *curr_module_inst = get_module_inst(curr_exec_env);
-    const char *exception = wasm_runtime_get_exception(module_inst);
-    /* skip "Exception: " */
-    exception += 11;
+    WASMModuleInstance *wasm_inst = (WASMModuleInstance *)module_inst;
+
+    if (curr_exec_env != exec_env) {
+        WASMModuleInstance *curr_wasm_inst =
+            (WASMModuleInstance *)get_module_inst(curr_exec_env);
+
+        bh_memcpy_s(curr_wasm_inst->cur_exception,
+                    sizeof(curr_wasm_inst->cur_exception),
+                    wasm_inst->cur_exception, sizeof(wasm_inst->cur_exception));
+        /* Terminate the thread so it can exit from dead loops */
+        set_thread_cancel_flags(curr_exec_env);
+    }
+}
+
+static void
+clear_exception_visitor(void *node, void *user_data)
+{
+    WASMExecEnv *exec_env = (WASMExecEnv *)user_data;
+    WASMExecEnv *curr_exec_env = (WASMExecEnv *)node;
 
     if (curr_exec_env != exec_env) {
-        curr_module_inst = get_module_inst(curr_exec_env);
-        wasm_runtime_set_exception(curr_module_inst, exception);
+        WASMModuleInstance *curr_wasm_inst =
+            (WASMModuleInstance *)get_module_inst(curr_exec_env);
+
+        curr_wasm_inst->cur_exception[0] = '\0';
     }
 }
 
 void
-wasm_cluster_spread_exception(WASMExecEnv *exec_env)
+wasm_cluster_spread_exception(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, bool clear)
 {
     WASMCluster *cluster = wasm_exec_env_get_cluster(exec_env);
     bh_assert(cluster);
 
-    traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, set_exception_visitor, exec_env);
+    os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
+    cluster->has_exception = !clear;
+    traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list,
+                  clear ? clear_exception_visitor : set_exception_visitor,
+                  exec_env);
+    os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -964,7 +1056,9 @@ wasm_cluster_spread_custom_data(WASMModuleInstanceCommon *module_inst,
         cluster = wasm_exec_env_get_cluster(exec_env);
         bh_assert(cluster);
 
+        os_mutex_lock(&cluster->lock);
         traverse_list(&cluster->exec_env_list, set_custom_data_visitor,
                       custom_data);
+        os_mutex_unlock(&cluster->lock);
     }
 }
diff --git a/core/iwasm/libraries/thread-mgr/thread_manager.h b/core/iwasm/libraries/thread-mgr/thread_manager.h
index c84d3c0219..657a4abe20 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/libraries/thread-mgr/thread_manager.h
+++ b/core/iwasm/libraries/thread-mgr/thread_manager.h
@@ -34,6 +34,18 @@ struct WASMCluster {
     uint32 stack_size;
     /* Record which segments are occupied */
     bool *stack_segment_occupied;
+    /* When has_exception == true, this cluster should refuse any spawn thread
+     * requests, this flag can be cleared by calling
+     * wasm_runtime_clear_exception on instances of any threads of this cluster
+     */
+    bool has_exception;
+    /* When processing is true, this cluster should refuse any spawn thread
+     * requests. This is a short-lived state, must be cleared immediately once
+     * the processing finished.
+     * This is used to avoid dead lock when one thread waiting another thread
+     * with lock, see wams_cluster_wait_for_all and wasm_cluster_terminate_all
+     */
+    bool processing;
 #if WASM_ENABLE_DEBUG_INTERP != 0
     WASMDebugInstance *debug_inst;
 #endif
@@ -113,9 +125,6 @@ void
 wasm_cluster_wait_for_all_except_self(WASMCluster *cluster,
                                       WASMExecEnv *exec_env);
 
-bool
-wasm_cluster_add_exec_env(WASMCluster *cluster, WASMExecEnv *exec_env);
-
 bool
 wasm_cluster_del_exec_env(WASMCluster *cluster, WASMExecEnv *exec_env);
 
@@ -123,7 +132,7 @@ WASMExecEnv *
 wasm_clusters_search_exec_env(WASMModuleInstanceCommon *module_inst);
 
 void
-wasm_cluster_spread_exception(WASMExecEnv *exec_env);
+wasm_cluster_spread_exception(WASMExecEnv *exec_env, bool clear);
 
 WASMExecEnv *
 wasm_cluster_spawn_exec_env(WASMExecEnv *exec_env);
diff --git a/samples/multi-thread/wasm-apps/CMakeLists.txt b/samples/multi-thread/wasm-apps/CMakeLists.txt
index 44ced1cc83..ec8f7eefbb 100644
--- a/samples/multi-thread/wasm-apps/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/samples/multi-thread/wasm-apps/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -38,3 +38,6 @@ set (CMAKE_EXE_LINKER_FLAGS
 
 add_executable(test.wasm  main.c)
 target_link_libraries(test.wasm)
+
+add_executable(main_thread_exception.wasm  main_thread_exception.c)
+target_link_libraries(main_thread_exception.wasm)
diff --git a/samples/multi-thread/wasm-apps/main_thread_exception.c b/samples/multi-thread/wasm-apps/main_thread_exception.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..80f170d40d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/multi-thread/wasm-apps/main_thread_exception.c
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2019 Intel Corporation.  All rights reserved.
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0 WITH LLVM-exception
+ */
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <pthread.h>
+
+typedef struct ThreadArgs {
+    int start;
+    int length;
+} ThreadArgs;
+
+void *
+thread(void *args)
+{
+    while (1) {
+        /* When other threads (including main thread) throw exception,
+            this thread can successfully exit the dead loop */
+    }
+}
+
+int
+main()
+{
+    pthread_t tids;
+
+    if (pthread_create(&tids, NULL, thread, NULL) != 0) {
+        printf("pthread_create failed\n");
+    }
+
+    /* Trigger an exception */
+    __builtin_trap();
+
+    return 0;
+}