diff --git a/scripts/agent-bootstrap.sh b/scripts/agent-bootstrap.sh
index e765b123..bc3d957c 100755
--- a/scripts/agent-bootstrap.sh
+++ b/scripts/agent-bootstrap.sh
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ ensure_nix_daemon() {
 
   # Single-user Nix does not need a daemon; multi-user/cloud installs do.
   # If the store already answers, leave the environment alone.
-  if command -v nix-store >/dev/null 2>&1 && nix-store --ping >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  if nix --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command' store ping >/dev/null 2>&1; then
     return 0
   fi
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ ensure_nix_daemon() {
   # The daemon is started asynchronously; wait briefly for its socket before
   # invoking the seed/build steps that depend on it.
   for _ in {1..50}; do
-    if command -v nix-store >/dev/null 2>&1 && nix-store --ping >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    if nix --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command' store ping --store daemon >/dev/null 2>&1; then
       return 0
     fi
     sleep 0.1