diff --git a/layers/+distribution/spacemacs-base/packages.el b/layers/+distribution/spacemacs-base/packages.el
index b84168bf1ec2..7193c70d4956 100644
--- a/layers/+distribution/spacemacs-base/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+distribution/spacemacs-base/packages.el
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@
     (bind-map spacemacs-default-map
       :prefix-cmd spacemacs-cmds
       :keys (dotspacemacs-emacs-leader-key)
+      :override-minor-modes t ; only applies to :keys
       :evil-keys (dotspacemacs-leader-key)
       :evil-use-local t)))