diff --git a/compiler/lib/config.ml b/compiler/lib/config.ml
index 29f39a1f02..ec6fb742ac 100644
--- a/compiler/lib/config.ml
+++ b/compiler/lib/config.ml
@@ -193,5 +193,7 @@ let target () =
 let set_target (t : [ `JavaScript | `Wasm ]) =
   (match t with
   | `JavaScript -> Targetint.set_num_bits 32
-  | `Wasm -> Targetint.set_num_bits 31);
+  | `Wasm ->
+      Targetint.set_num_bits 31;
+      Flag.disable "use-js-string");
   target_ := (t :> [ `JavaScript | `Wasm | `None ])