diff --git a/desktop/scripts/start-dev-server.tsx b/desktop/scripts/start-dev-server.tsx
index af7bffc06..3458214ad 100644
--- a/desktop/scripts/start-dev-server.tsx
+++ b/desktop/scripts/start-dev-server.tsx
@@ -20,7 +20,11 @@ import http from 'http';
 import path from 'path';
 import fs from 'fs-extra';
 import {hostname} from 'os';
-import {compileMain, prepareDefaultPlugins} from './build-utils';
+import {
+  compileMain,
+  prepareDefaultPlugins,
+  prepareHeadlessPlugins,
+} from './build-utils';
 import Watchman from './watchman';
 // @ts-ignore no typings for metro
 import Metro from 'metro';
@@ -441,6 +445,7 @@ function checkDevServer() {
   await prepareDefaultPlugins(
     process.env.FLIPPER_RELEASE_CHANNEL === 'insiders',
   );
+  await prepareHeadlessPlugins();
   await ensurePluginFoldersWatchable();
   const port = await detect(DEFAULT_PORT);
   const {app, server} = await startAssetServer(port);