diff --git a/packages/backend-next/package.json b/packages/backend-next/package.json
index cc537ef514..fb821e19eb 100644
--- a/packages/backend-next/package.json
+++ b/packages/backend-next/package.json
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
     "backstage"
   ],
   "scripts": {
-    "start": "backstage-cli package start",
+    "start": "EXPERIMENTAL_BACKEND_START=1 backstage-cli package start",
     "build": "backstage-cli package build",
     "lint": "backstage-cli package lint",
     "test": "backstage-cli package test",