diff --git a/cmd/kops-controller/pkg/server/server.go b/cmd/kops-controller/pkg/server/server.go
index 80a17e4855..8ef4985480 100644
--- a/cmd/kops-controller/pkg/server/server.go
+++ b/cmd/kops-controller/pkg/server/server.go
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/kops/upup/pkg/fi"
 	"k8s.io/kops/upup/pkg/fi/secrets"
 	"k8s.io/kops/util/pkg/vfs"
+	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/manager"
 )
 
 type Server struct {
@@ -55,6 +56,8 @@ type Server struct {
 	configBase vfs.Path
 }
 
+var _ manager.LeaderElectionRunnable = &Server{}
+
 func NewServer(opt *config.Options, verifier bootstrap.Verifier) (*Server, error) {
 	server := &http.Server{
 		Addr: opt.Server.Listen,
@@ -90,6 +93,10 @@ func NewServer(opt *config.Options, verifier bootstrap.Verifier) (*Server, error
 	return s, nil
 }
 
+func (s *Server) NeedLeaderElection() bool {
+	return false
+}
+
 func (s *Server) Start(ctx context.Context) error {
 	var err error
 	s.keystore, s.keypairIDs, err = newKeystore(s.opt.Server.CABasePath, s.opt.Server.SigningCAs)