diff --git a/packages/schematics/update/update/npm.ts b/packages/schematics/update/update/npm.ts
index 1f98ce493c67..bd5def1ebb64 100644
--- a/packages/schematics/update/update/npm.ts
+++ b/packages/schematics/update/update/npm.ts
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ export function getNpmPackageJson(
     {
       'full-metadata': true,
       ...npmrc,
-      registry: registryUrl,
+      ...(registryUrl ? { registry: registryUrl } : {}),
     },
   );