diff --git a/src/zope/interface/_compat.py b/src/zope/interface/_compat.py
index bc3f8671..f6a95581 100644
--- a/src/zope/interface/_compat.py
+++ b/src/zope/interface/_compat.py
@@ -74,8 +74,10 @@ def _should_attempt_c_optimizations():
     """
     Return a true value if we should attempt to use the C optimizations.
 
-    This takes into account whether we're on PyPy and the value of the
-    ``PURE_PYTHON`` environment variable, as defined in `_use_c_impl`.
+    This takes into account whether we're on PyPy, whether you're using
+    a freethreading version of Python 3.13+ (where importing
+    the speedups would enable GIL) and the value of the ``PURE_PYTHON``
+    environment variable, as defined in `_use_c_impl`.
     """
     is_pypy = hasattr(sys, 'pypy_version_info')
 
@@ -83,6 +85,8 @@ def _should_attempt_c_optimizations():
         return True
     if is_pypy:
         return False
+    if sys.version_info >= (3, 13) and not sys._is_gil_enabled():
+        return False
     return not _c_optimizations_ignored()