diff --git a/script/lib/install-apm.js b/script/lib/install-apm.js
index 32df8c473..81c9e849d 100644
--- a/script/lib/install-apm.js
+++ b/script/lib/install-apm.js
@@ -6,9 +6,10 @@ const CONFIG = require('../config')
 
 module.exports = function (ci) {
   console.log('Installing apm')
+  // npm ci leaves apm with a bunch of unmet dependencies
   childProcess.execFileSync(
     CONFIG.getNpmBinPath(),
-    ['--global-style', '--loglevel=error', ci ? 'ci' : 'install'],
+    ['--global-style', '--loglevel=error', 'install'],
     {env: process.env, cwd: CONFIG.apmRootPath}
   )
 }