diff --git a/layers/+distribution/spacemacs-base/packages.el b/layers/+distribution/spacemacs-base/packages.el
index aa4a34b55..af91324cc 100644
--- a/layers/+distribution/spacemacs-base/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+distribution/spacemacs-base/packages.el
@@ -893,6 +893,7 @@ debug-init and load the given list of packages."
         (spacemacs/restart-emacs-debug-init
          (append (list "-q" "--execute"
                        (concat "(progn (package-initialize) "
+                               "(require 'use-package)"
                                load-packages-string ")"))
                  args))))
     (spacemacs/set-leader-keys