diff --git a/src/freedombone-utils-nodejs b/src/freedombone-utils-nodejs
index 35715a38..57fb628b 100755
--- a/src/freedombone-utils-nodejs
+++ b/src/freedombone-utils-nodejs
@@ -181,6 +181,10 @@ EOF
     fi
     rm -f /root/install-nodejs.sh
 
+    # second npm install attempt seems necessary
+    npm install -g npm@${NPM_VERSION} --save
+    cp /usr/local/bin/npm /usr/bin/npm
+
     # node seems tricky so here we're going to double check
     # that the versions we expect did get installed
     CURR_NODE_VERSION=$(node --version)