diff --git a/api/v1alpha1/envoygateway_helpers.go b/api/v1alpha1/envoygateway_helpers.go
index de8ddc98537..5f36282f5b5 100644
--- a/api/v1alpha1/envoygateway_helpers.go
+++ b/api/v1alpha1/envoygateway_helpers.go
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ func (e *EnvoyGateway) SetEnvoyGatewayDefaults() {
 			LeaderElection: DefaultLeaderElection(),
 		}
 	}
+	if e.Provider.Kubernetes.LeaderElection == nil {
+		e.Provider.Kubernetes.LeaderElection = DefaultLeaderElection()
+	}
 	if e.Gateway == nil {
 		e.Gateway = DefaultGateway()
 	}