diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 8b5a7a24c8..cc45d541d4 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "name": "root",
   "private": true,
   "engines": {
-    "node": ">=12.0.0"
+    "node": "12"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "start": "yarn workspace example-app start",
diff --git a/packages/backend/package.json b/packages/backend/package.json
index 2e9cd1ff49..097c6446e9 100644
--- a/packages/backend/package.json
+++ b/packages/backend/package.json
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
   "private": true,
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
   "engines": {
-    "node": ">=12"
+    "node": "12"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "build": "backstage-cli backend:build",
diff --git a/packages/cli/templates/default-app/package.json.hbs b/packages/cli/templates/default-app/package.json.hbs
index c70e00e4d0..1414ef341a 100644
--- a/packages/cli/templates/default-app/package.json.hbs
+++ b/packages/cli/templates/default-app/package.json.hbs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "version": "1.0.0",
   "private": true,
   "engines": {
-    "node": ">=12.0.0"
+    "node": "12"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "start": "yarn workspace app start",