diff --git a/rebar.config.erl b/rebar.config.erl
index 2ae6ffad4..b6b6a7c18 100644
--- a/rebar.config.erl
+++ b/rebar.config.erl
@@ -391,6 +391,7 @@ relx_apps(ReleaseType, Edition) ->
             {covertool, load},
             % started by emqx_machine
             {system_monitor, load},
+            emqx_utils,
             emqx_http_lib,
             emqx_resource,
             emqx_connector,