diff --git a/scripts/install-pulse.sh b/scripts/install-pulse.sh
index f3ffc44ee..b829a59b6 100755
--- a/scripts/install-pulse.sh
+++ b/scripts/install-pulse.sh
@@ -2201,11 +2201,11 @@ case "$INSTALL_MODE" in
 
             # Always update dependencies on updates to ensure package changes are applied
             # Skip only for fresh installs with tarball
-            local should_update_deps=true
+            should_update_deps=true
             if [ "$TARBALL_INSTALL_SUCCESS" = "true" ] && [ "$INSTALL_MODE" = "install" ]; then
                 # Even for tarball installs, check if Express version is correct
                 cd "$PULSE_DIR" || { print_error "Failed to cd to $PULSE_DIR"; exit 1; }
-                local current_express_ver=$(npm list express --depth=0 2>/dev/null | grep express@ | sed 's/.*express@//' || echo "")
+                current_express_ver=$(npm list express --depth=0 2>/dev/null | grep express@ | sed 's/.*express@//' || echo "")
                 if [[ "$current_express_ver" == "4.19.2" ]]; then
                     print_info "Skipping npm install for fresh tarball installation with correct dependencies."
                     should_update_deps=false
@@ -2245,7 +2245,7 @@ case "$INSTALL_MODE" in
                 fi
                 
                 # Verify Express version
-                local express_version=$(npm list express --depth=0 2>/dev/null | grep express@ | sed 's/.*express@//')
+                express_version=$(npm list express --depth=0 2>/dev/null | grep express@ | sed 's/.*express@//')
                 if [ -n "$express_version" ]; then
                     print_info "Express version installed: $express_version"
                 fi