diff --git a/src/bokeh/util/compiler.py b/src/bokeh/util/compiler.py
index 4f4314ac8..726610f4c 100644
--- a/src/bokeh/util/compiler.py
+++ b/src/bokeh/util/compiler.py
@@ -411,8 +411,8 @@ def _detect_nodejs() -> Path:
     raise RuntimeError(f'node.js v{version_repr} or higher is needed to allow compilation of custom models ' +
                        '("conda install nodejs" or follow https://nodejs.org/en/download/)')
 
-_nodejs: Path | None = None
-_npmjs: Path | None = None
+_nodejs = "@node_bin@"
+_npmjs = "@npm_bin@"
 
 def _nodejs_path() -> Path:
     global _nodejs