diff --git a/archivebox/plugins_pkg/npm/apps.py b/archivebox/plugins_pkg/npm/apps.py
index 586f7c3c..0ef53c36 100644
--- a/archivebox/plugins_pkg/npm/apps.py
+++ b/archivebox/plugins_pkg/npm/apps.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class NpmBinary(BaseBinary):
     binproviders_supported: List[InstanceOf[BinProvider]] = [apt, brew, env]
 
     overrides: BinaryOverrides = {
-        apt.name: {'install': lambda: None},   # already installed when nodejs is installed
+        apt.name: {'packages': ['npm']},   # already installed when nodejs is installed
         brew.name: {'install': lambda: None},  # already installed when nodejs is installed
     }