diff --git a/client/src/main/java/org/mvndaemon/mvnd/client/DaemonParameters.java b/client/src/main/java/org/mvndaemon/mvnd/client/DaemonParameters.java
index 723b993b2..ccf7d4371 100644
--- a/client/src/main/java/org/mvndaemon/mvnd/client/DaemonParameters.java
+++ b/client/src/main/java/org/mvndaemon/mvnd/client/DaemonParameters.java
@@ -492,8 +492,8 @@ private static List<CoreExtension> readCoreExtensionsDescriptor(Path multiModule
     private static List<CoreExtension> filterCoreExtensions(List<CoreExtension> coreExtensions) {
         Set<String> exclusions = new HashSet<>();
         String exclusionsString = systemProperty(Environment.MVND_CORE_EXTENSIONS_EXCLUDE)
-                .asOptional()
-                .orElse(Environment.MVND_CORE_EXTENSIONS_EXCLUDE.getDefault());
+                .orDefault()
+                .asString();
         if (exclusionsString != null) {
             exclusions.addAll(Arrays.stream(exclusionsString.split(","))
                     .filter(e -> e != null && !e.trim().isEmpty())