diff --git a/packages/vite-node/src/externalize.ts b/packages/vite-node/src/externalize.ts
index e4056f3a8784..91abd815a2ab 100644
--- a/packages/vite-node/src/externalize.ts
+++ b/packages/vite-node/src/externalize.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { slash } from './utils'
 
 const KNOWN_ASSET_TYPES = [
   // images
+  'apng',
   'png',
   'jpe?g',
   'jfif',