diff --git a/controller/api/destination/endpoint_profile_translator_test.go b/controller/api/destination/endpoint_profile_translator_test.go
index a35c69db6..5007e4a61 100644
--- a/controller/api/destination/endpoint_profile_translator_test.go
+++ b/controller/api/destination/endpoint_profile_translator_test.go
@@ -89,8 +89,9 @@ func TestEndpointProfileTranslator(t *testing.T) {
 			endStream,
 			log,
 		)
-		translator.Start()
-		defer translator.Stop()
+
+		// We avoid starting the translator so that it doesn't drain its update
+		// queue and we can test the overflow behavior.
 
 		for i := 0; i < updateQueueCapacity/2; i++ {
 			if err := translator.Update(podAddr); err != nil {