diff --git a/apexer/apexer.py b/apexer/apexer.py
index 7a114d4..f698c8c 100644
--- a/apexer/apexer.py
+++ b/apexer/apexer.py
@@ -546,6 +546,7 @@
       cmd.append('add_hashtree_footer')
       cmd.append('--do_not_generate_fec')
       cmd.extend(['--algorithm', 'SHA256_RSA4096'])
+      cmd.extend(['--hash_algorithm', 'sha256'])
       cmd.extend(['--key', args.key])
       cmd.extend(['--prop', 'apex.key:' + key_name])
       # Set up the salt based on manifest content which includes name