diff --git a/controller/linodemachine_controller.go b/controller/linodemachine_controller.go
index acc92eb95..8739a941d 100644
--- a/controller/linodemachine_controller.go
+++ b/controller/linodemachine_controller.go
@@ -246,6 +246,7 @@ func (r *LinodeMachineReconciler) reconcile(
 	return
 }
 
+//nolint:cyclop // keep top-level preflight condition checks in the same function for readability
 func (r *LinodeMachineReconciler) reconcileCreate(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	logger logr.Logger,