diff --git a/mercurial/localrepo.py b/mercurial/localrepo.py
--- a/mercurial/localrepo.py
+++ b/mercurial/localrepo.py
@@ -445,6 +445,9 @@
 # copies related information in changeset's sidedata.
 COPIESSDC_REQUIREMENT = b'exp-copies-sidedata-changeset'
 
+# The repository use persistent nodemap for the changelog and the manifest.
+NODEMAP_REQUIREMENT = b'persistent-nodemap'
+
 # Functions receiving (ui, features) that extensions can register to impact
 # the ability to load repositories with custom requirements. Only
 # functions defined in loaded extensions are called.
@@ -933,7 +936,7 @@
 
     if ui.configbool(b'experimental', b'rust.index'):
         options[b'rust.index'] = True
-    if ui.configbool(b'experimental', b'exp-persistent-nodemap'):
+    if NODEMAP_REQUIREMENT in requirements:
         options[b'exp-persistent-nodemap'] = True
     if ui.configbool(b'experimental', b'exp-persistent-nodemap.mmap'):
         options[b'exp-persistent-nodemap.mmap'] = True
@@ -1023,6 +1026,7 @@
         REVLOGV2_REQUIREMENT,
         SIDEDATA_REQUIREMENT,
         SPARSEREVLOG_REQUIREMENT,
+        NODEMAP_REQUIREMENT,
         bookmarks.BOOKMARKS_IN_STORE_REQUIREMENT,
     }
     _basesupported = supportedformats | {
@@ -3654,6 +3658,9 @@
     if ui.configbool(b'format', b'bookmarks-in-store'):
         requirements.add(bookmarks.BOOKMARKS_IN_STORE_REQUIREMENT)
 
+    if ui.configbool(b'experimental', b'exp-persistent-nodemap'):
+        requirements.add(NODEMAP_REQUIREMENT)
+
     return requirements
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test-persistent-nodemap.t b/tests/test-persistent-nodemap.t
--- a/tests/test-persistent-nodemap.t
+++ b/tests/test-persistent-nodemap.t
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 Test the persistent on-disk nodemap
 ===================================
 
-  $ hg init test-repo
-  $ cd test-repo
-  $ cat << EOF >> .hg/hgrc
+  $ cat << EOF >> $HGRCPATH
   > [experimental]
   > exp-persistent-nodemap=yes
   > [devel]
   > persistent-nodemap=yes
   > EOF
+  $ hg init test-repo
+  $ cd test-repo
   $ hg debugbuilddag .+5000 --new-file --config "experimental.exp-persistent-nodemap.mode=warn"
   persistent nodemap in strict mode without efficient method (no-rust no-pure !)
   persistent nodemap in strict mode without efficient method (no-rust no-pure !)