diff --git a/config/300-controller.yaml b/config/300-controller.yaml
index e2cc7fcf8..089e97014 100644
--- a/config/300-controller.yaml
+++ b/config/300-controller.yaml
@@ -63,6 +63,11 @@ spec:
           - name: http2-xds
             containerPort: 18000
             protocol: TCP
+          startupProbe:
+            grpc:
+              port: 18000
+            periodSeconds: 10
+            failureThreshold: 120
           readinessProbe:
             grpc:
               port: 18000