diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createSharedEnvironment.test.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createSharedEnvironment.test.ts
index 0f15941a45..ec2cf1fe49 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createSharedEnvironment.test.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createSharedEnvironment.test.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ describe('createSharedEnvironment', () => {
     expect(env).toBeDefined();
     const internalEnv = env() as unknown as InternalSharedBackendEnvironment;
     expect(internalEnv).toEqual({
+      $$type: 'SharedBackendEnvironment',
       version: 'v1',
       services: undefined,
     });
diff --git a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createSharedEnvironment.ts b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createSharedEnvironment.ts
index a353c01b9d..3258188772 100644
--- a/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createSharedEnvironment.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createSharedEnvironment.ts
@@ -79,6 +79,12 @@ export function createSharedEnvironment<
       );
     }
 
-    return { version: 'v1', services } as unknown as SharedBackendEnvironment;
+    // Here to ensure type safety in this internal implementation.
+    const env: SharedBackendEnvironment & InternalSharedBackendEnvironment = {
+      $$type: 'SharedBackendEnvironment',
+      version: 'v1',
+      services,
+    };
+    return env;
   };
 }