diff --git a/src/automation/vite-plugin.ts b/src/automation/vite-plugin.ts
index 1c01eaa10..a38472283 100644
--- a/src/automation/vite-plugin.ts
+++ b/src/automation/vite-plugin.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,10 @@ import type { Plugin } from 'vite'
 export function automationPlugin(): Plugin {
   return {
     name: 'open-pencil-automation',
-    configureServer() {
-      void import('./bridge')
+    configureServer(server) {
+      server.ssrLoadModule('./src/automation/bridge').catch((e) => {
+        console.error('Failed to start automation bridge:', e)
+      })
     }
   }
 }