diff --git a/src/go/rpk/pkg/cli/cmd/root.go b/src/go/rpk/pkg/cli/cmd/root.go
index c8f83f450d518..d266b22233858 100644
--- a/src/go/rpk/pkg/cli/cmd/root.go
+++ b/src/go/rpk/pkg/cli/cmd/root.go
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ func Execute() {
 		Use:   "rpk",
 		Short: "rpk is the Redpanda CLI & toolbox.",
 		Long:  "",
+
+		CompletionOptions: cobra.CompletionOptions{
+			DisableDefaultCmd: true,
+		},
 	}
 	root.PersistentFlags().BoolVarP(&verbose, config.FlagVerbose,
 		"v", false, "Enable verbose logging (default: false).")