diff --git a/deployment/operator/config/default/kustomization.yaml b/deployment/operator/config/default/kustomization.yaml
index caaf995dd..b6cc51655 100644
--- a/deployment/operator/config/default/kustomization.yaml
+++ b/deployment/operator/config/default/kustomization.yaml
@@ -21,10 +21,8 @@ resources:
 # [PROMETHEUS] To enable prometheus monitor, uncomment all sections with 'PROMETHEUS'.
 #- ../prometheus
 
-patchesStrategicMerge:
 # Protect the /metrics endpoint by putting it behind auth.
 # If you want your controller-manager to expose the /metrics
 # endpoint w/o any authn/z, please comment the following line.
-- manager_auth_proxy_patch.yaml
-
-
+patches:
+- path: manager_auth_proxy_patch.yaml