diff --git a/src/emqx.appup.src b/src/emqx.appup.src
index ac216c43e..daf18aff5 100644
--- a/src/emqx.appup.src
+++ b/src/emqx.appup.src
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 %% Unless you know what you are doing, DO NOT edit manually!!
 {VSN,
   [{"4.4.14",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_misc,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -13,7 +14,8 @@
      {load_module,emqx_app,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]}]},
    {"4.4.13",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_misc,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -25,7 +27,8 @@
      {load_module,emqx_relup,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_app,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]}]},
    {"4.4.12",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_misc,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -37,7 +40,8 @@
      {load_module,emqx_relup,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_app,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]}]},
    {"4.4.11",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -52,7 +56,8 @@
      {load_module,emqx_session,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_channel,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]}]},
    {"4.4.10",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -76,7 +81,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.9",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -106,7 +112,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.8",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -137,7 +144,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.7",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -168,7 +176,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.6",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -199,7 +208,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.5",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -232,7 +242,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.4",
-    [{load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {add_module,emqx_cover},
@@ -271,7 +282,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.3",
-    [{load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {add_module,emqx_cover},
      {add_module,emqx_ocsp_cache},
@@ -316,7 +328,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.2",
-    [{load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {add_module,emqx_cover},
      {add_module,emqx_ocsp_cache},
@@ -362,7 +375,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.1",
-    [{load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {add_module,emqx_cover},
      {add_module,emqx_ocsp_cache},
      {add_module,emqx_crl_cache},
@@ -412,7 +426,8 @@
      {apply,{application,set_env,
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {"4.4.0",
-    [{load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {add_module,emqx_cover},
      {add_module,emqx_ocsp_cache},
      {add_module,emqx_crl_cache},
@@ -465,7 +480,8 @@
                          [gen_rpc,insecure_auth_fallback_allowed,true]}}]},
    {<<".*">>,[]}],
   [{"4.4.14",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_misc,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -476,7 +492,8 @@
      {load_module,emqx_app,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]}]},
    {"4.4.13",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_misc,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -488,7 +505,8 @@
      {load_module,emqx_relup,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_app,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]}]},
    {"4.4.12",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_misc,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -500,7 +518,8 @@
      {load_module,emqx_relup,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_app,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]}]},
    {"4.4.11",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -515,7 +534,8 @@
      {load_module,emqx_session,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {delete_module,emqx_cover}]},
    {"4.4.10",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -536,7 +556,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.9",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -562,7 +583,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.8",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -589,7 +611,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.7",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -616,7 +639,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.6",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -643,7 +667,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.5",
-    [{load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_broker,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -672,7 +697,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.4",
-    [{load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_packet,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_listeners,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -707,7 +733,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.3",
-    [{load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_listeners,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_kernel_sup,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -747,7 +774,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.2",
-    [{load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_banned,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_listeners,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_kernel_sup,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -788,7 +816,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.1",
-    [{load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_kernel_sup,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_router_helper,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_ws_connection,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
@@ -833,7 +862,8 @@
      {delete_module,emqx_crl_cache},
      {delete_module,emqx_ocsp_cache}]},
    {"4.4.0",
-    [{load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+    [{load_module,emqx_vm,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
+     {load_module,emqx_rule_actions_trans,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_kernel_sup,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_router_helper,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
      {load_module,emqx_router,brutal_purge,soft_purge,[]},
diff --git a/src/emqx_vm.erl b/src/emqx_vm.erl
index 9d5558370..b62dba96a 100644
--- a/src/emqx_vm.erl
+++ b/src/emqx_vm.erl
@@ -380,14 +380,19 @@ read_otp_version() ->
     Filename = filename:join([ReleasesDir, emqx_app:get_release(), "BUILT_ON"]),
     case file:read_file(Filename) of
         {ok, BuiltOn} ->
-            %% running on EQM X release
+            %% running on EQMX release
             BuiltOn;
         {error, enoent} ->
-            %% running tests etc.
             OtpMajor = erlang:system_info(otp_release),
             OtpVsnFile = filename:join([ReleasesDir, OtpMajor, "OTP_VERSION"]),
-            {ok, Vsn} = file:read_file(OtpVsnFile),
-            Vsn
+            case file:read_file(OtpVsnFile) of
+                {ok, Vsn} ->
+                    %% this happens when running in test where system's OTP is in use
+                    Vsn;
+                _ ->
+                    %% when the code is cover-compiled
+                    iolist_to_binary(OtpMajor)
+            end
     end.
 
 parse_built_on(BuiltOn) ->