diff --git a/prelude/bootstrap.js b/prelude/bootstrap.js
index 36aa2a4d..fe9e6b03 100644
--- a/prelude/bootstrap.js
+++ b/prelude/bootstrap.js
@@ -1879,7 +1879,7 @@ function payloadFileSync(pointer) {
     im = require('internal/module');
     makeRequireFunction = im.makeRequireFunction;
   } else {
-    if (NODE_VERSION_MAJOR <= 18) {
+    if (NODE_VERSION_MAJOR < 18) {
       im = require('internal/modules/cjs/helpers');
     } else {
       im = require('internal/modules/helpers');