diff --git a/lamindb/core/schema.py b/lamindb/core/schema.py
index 43041a7e5..de502a7c4 100644
--- a/lamindb/core/schema.py
+++ b/lamindb/core/schema.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 
 def get_schemas_modules(instance: str | None) -> set[str]:
-    if instance is None:
+    if instance is None or instance == "default":
         schema_modules = ln_setup.settings.instance.schema
         schema_modules.add("core")
         return schema_modules