[BUG]: ERR_INVALID_RETURN_PROPERTY_VALUE error when starting up Nuxt 3 app

[paambaati]

Tracer Version(s)

5.51.0, 5.50, 5.49.0

Node.js Version(s)

20.18.1

Bug Report

When starting up a Nuxt 3 app like this –

node --import dd-trace/register.js --trace-warnings .output/server/index.mjs

I get this error –

❯ node --import dd-trace/register.js --trace-warnings .output/server/index.mjs
node:internal/modules/esm/translators:129
  throw new ERR_INVALID_RETURN_PROPERTY_VALUE(
        ^

TypeError [ERR_INVALID_RETURN_PROPERTY_VALUE]: Expected string, array buffer, or typed array to be returned for the "source" from the "load" hook but got undefined.
    at assertBufferSource (node:internal/modules/esm/translators:129:9)
    at ModuleLoader.moduleStrategy (node:internal/modules/esm/translators:164:3)
    at callTranslator (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:428:14)
    at ModuleLoader.moduleProvider (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:434:30) {
  code: 'ERR_INVALID_RETURN_PROPERTY_VALUE'
}

Node.js v20.18.1

Curiously, when starting the app without the --import dd-trace/register.js flag, the app starts up fine without issues.

Reproduction Code

1. Set up a Nuxt 3 app (issue reproducible with both Vite 2.x and Vite 3.x).
2. Build it using nuxt build.
3. Start it using node --import dd-trace/register.js .output/server/index.mjs

Error Logs

node:internal/modules/esm/translators:129
  throw new ERR_INVALID_RETURN_PROPERTY_VALUE(
        ^

TypeError [ERR_INVALID_RETURN_PROPERTY_VALUE]: Expected string, array buffer, or typed array to be returned for the "source" from the "load" hook but got undefined.
    at assertBufferSource (node:internal/modules/esm/translators:129:9)
    at ModuleLoader.moduleStrategy (node:internal/modules/esm/translators:164:3)
    at callTranslator (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:428:14)
    at ModuleLoader.moduleProvider (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:434:30) {
  code: 'ERR_INVALID_RETURN_PROPERTY_VALUE'
}

Node.js v20.18.1

Tracer Config

DD_APM_ENABLED: true
DD_TRACE_ENABLED: true
DD_LOGS_INJECTION: true

Operating System

Darwin Mac 24.4.0 Darwin Kernel Version 24.4.0: Fri Apr 11 18:33:47 PDT 2025; root:xnu-11417.101.15~117/RELEASE_ARM64_T6030 arm64

Bundling

Vite