diff --git a/hermes_cli/main.py b/hermes_cli/main.py
index c2b5985c232..0870d1586f3 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/main.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/main.py
@@ -9043,7 +9043,9 @@ def _cmd_update_impl(args, gateway_mode: bool):
         # Electron build by ``hermes update``.
         desktop_dir = PROJECT_ROOT / "apps" / "desktop"
         has_desktop_app = _desktop_packaged_executable(desktop_dir) is not None or _desktop_dist_exists(desktop_dir)
-        if (desktop_dir / "package.json").exists() and shutil.which("npm") and has_desktop_app:
+        from hermes_constants import find_node_executable
+
+        if (desktop_dir / "package.json").exists() and find_node_executable("npm") and has_desktop_app:
             print("→ Checking if desktop app needs rebuilding...")
             _desktop_build_cmd = [sys.executable, "-m", "hermes_cli.main", "desktop", "--build-only"]
             # Stream the build output live (long Electron builds otherwise