diff --git a/packages/angular/cli/src/commands/update/utilities/cli-version.ts b/packages/angular/cli/src/commands/update/utilities/cli-version.ts
index 6067b81504d4..3791f7ad7070 100644
--- a/packages/angular/cli/src/commands/update/utilities/cli-version.ts
+++ b/packages/angular/cli/src/commands/update/utilities/cli-version.ts
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ export async function checkCLIVersion(
 
   const version = manifest.version;
 
-  return VERSION.full === version ? null : version;
+  return VERSION.full === version ? null : String(runnerVersion);
 }
 
 /**