diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index ec93da14f..d4db9dc8a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ dist manual vignettes: export R_HOME=$(shell $(REXE) RHOME)
 check xcheck xxcheck: export FULL_TESTS=yes
 xcheck tests: export R_PROFILE_USER=$(CURDIR)/.Rprofile
 session htmldocs vignettes data tests manual: export R_LIBS=$(CURDIR)/library
+session: export R_DEFAULT_PACKAGES=datasets,utils,grDevices,graphics,stats,methods,pomp2,tidyverse
 xxcheck: export R_LIBS=$(CURDIR)/check
 
 includes: inst/include/pomp.h inst/include/pomp_defines.h