diff --git a/swh/loader/npm/loader.py b/swh/loader/npm/loader.py
--- a/swh/loader/npm/loader.py
+++ b/swh/loader/npm/loader.py
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@
         'debug': ('bool', False)
     }
 
+    visit_type = 'npm'
+
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(logging_class='swh.loader.npm.NpmLoader')
         temp_directory = self.config['temp_directory']
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@
         self.npm_client.fetch_package_metadata(package_metadata_url)
         self.origin = {
             'url': package_url,
-            'type': 'npm',
+            'type': self.visit_type,
         }
         self.visit_date = None  # loader core will populate it