diff --git a/scripts/build-maintenance.mjs b/scripts/build-maintenance.mjs
index fc76846..abe5a3c 100644
--- a/scripts/build-maintenance.mjs
+++ b/scripts/build-maintenance.mjs
@@ -1,2 +1,16 @@
 import { build } from 'esbuild';
-await build({ entryPoints: ['scripts/maintenance.ts'], outfile: '.next/standalone/maintenance.mjs', bundle: true, platform: 'node', target: 'node22', format: 'esm', packages: 'external' });
+
+await build({
+  entryPoints: ['scripts/maintenance.ts'],
+  outfile: '.next/standalone/maintenance.mjs',
+  bundle: true,
+  platform: 'node',
+  target: 'node22',
+  format: 'esm',
+  // Next traces the web application, not this separate maintenance entry point.
+  // Bundle its JS dependencies; only native packages stay external.
+  external: ['better-sqlite3', 'sharp'],
+  banner: {
+    js: "import { createRequire as createMaintenanceRequire } from 'node:module'; const require = createMaintenanceRequire(import.meta.url);",
+  },
+});