diff --git a/upgrade-mcp-release.groovy b/upgrade-mcp-release.groovy
index 6ed9829..2c0bf3d 100644
--- a/upgrade-mcp-release.groovy
+++ b/upgrade-mcp-release.groovy
@@ -869,6 +869,8 @@
             }
 
             stage('Update Drivetrain') {
+                salt.enforceState(venvPepper, '*', 'linux.system.package', true, true, batchSize, false, 60, 2)
+
                 if (upgradeSaltStack) {
                     updateSaltStack('I@salt:master', '["salt-master", "salt-common", "salt-api", "salt-minion"]')