diff --git a/pkg/controller/mysql/user/reconciler.go b/pkg/controller/mysql/user/reconciler.go
index c2044827..5377d8ed 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/mysql/user/reconciler.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/mysql/user/reconciler.go
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ func (c *external) Observe(ctx context.Context, mg resource.Managed) (managed.Ex
 		"max_updates, " +
 		"max_connections, " +
 		"max_user_connections, " +
-		"plugin" +
+		"plugin " +
 		"FROM mysql.user WHERE User = ? AND Host = ?"
 	err := c.db.Scan(ctx,
 		xsql.Query{