diff --git a/pkg/leaderelection/leaderelection.go b/pkg/leaderelection/leaderelection.go
index 50107f788e..aefd6e9c0d 100644
--- a/pkg/leaderelection/leaderelection.go
+++ b/pkg/leaderelection/leaderelection.go
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ func New(log logr.Logger, name, namespace string, kubeClient kubernetes.Interfac
 	}
 	e.leaderElectionCfg = leaderelection.LeaderElectionConfig{
 		Lock:            e.lock,
-		ReleaseOnCancel: true,
+		ReleaseOnCancel: false,
 		LeaseDuration:   6 * retryPeriod,
 		RenewDeadline:   5 * retryPeriod,
 		RetryPeriod:     retryPeriod,