diff --git a/rockcraft/extensions/expressjs.py b/rockcraft/extensions/expressjs.py
index d0ced2d3f..4200f2a4a 100644
--- a/rockcraft/extensions/expressjs.py
+++ b/rockcraft/extensions/expressjs.py
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ def _gen_install_app_part(self) -> dict:
             "npm-include-node": False,
             "source": "app/",
             "organize": self._app_organize,
-            "override-prime": f"rm -rf lib/node_modules/{self._app_name}",
+            "override-prime": f"rm -rf lib/node_modules/{self._app_name}\ncraftctl default",
             "build-packages": ["nodejs", "npm"],
         }
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/extensions/test_expressjs.py b/tests/unit/extensions/test_expressjs.py
index 58f29ca0d..dafd91d3b 100644
--- a/tests/unit/extensions/test_expressjs.py
+++ b/tests/unit/extensions/test_expressjs.py
@@ -80,7 +80,8 @@ def test_expressjs_extension_default(
                     "lib/node_modules/test-expressjs-project/package.json": "app/package.json",
                 },
                 "build-packages": ["nodejs", "npm"],
-                "override-prime": f"rm -rf lib/node_modules/{expressjs_project_name}",
+                "override-prime": f"rm -rf lib/node_modules/{expressjs_project_name}\ncraftctl "
+                "default",
             },
             "expressjs-framework/runtime-debs": {
                 "plugin": "nil",