diff --git a/cmd/main.go b/cmd/main.go
index b8d0170d4..b87a725f2 100644
--- a/cmd/main.go
+++ b/cmd/main.go
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ import (
 	"runtime"
 
 	configv1 "github.com/openshift/api/config/v1"
-	"github.com/operator-framework/operator-lib/leader"
 	"github.com/submariner-io/admiral/pkg/log/kzerolog"
 	"github.com/submariner-io/admiral/pkg/names"
 	admversion "github.com/submariner-io/admiral/pkg/version"
@@ -84,8 +83,7 @@ func main() {
 	flag.StringVar(&probeAddr, "health-probe-bind-address", ":8081", "The address the probe endpoint binds to.")
 	flag.StringVar(&pprofAddr, "pprof-bind-address", ":8082", "The address the profiling endpoint binds to.")
 	flag.BoolVar(&enableLeaderElection, "leader-elect", false,
-		"Enable leader election for controller manager. "+
-			"Enabling this will ensure there is only one active controller manager.")
+		"Enable leader election for the controller manager to ensure there is only one active instance.")
 
 	kzerolog.AddFlags(nil)
 	flag.Parse()
@@ -121,13 +119,6 @@ func main() {
 
 	ctx := ctrl.SetupSignalHandler()
 
-	// Become the leader before proceeding
-	err = leader.Become(ctx, "submariner-operator-lock")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Error(err, "")
-		os.Exit(1)
-	}
-
 	// Set up the CRDs we need
 	crdUpdater, err := crd.UpdaterFromRestConfig(cfg)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/config/manager/manager.yaml b/config/manager/manager.yaml
index b336645d5..92d570c99 100644
--- a/config/manager/manager.yaml
+++ b/config/manager/manager.yaml
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ spec:
           image: controller:0.0.0
           command:
             - submariner-operator
-          # args:
-          #  - --enable-leader-election
+          args:
+            - --leader-elect
           imagePullPolicy: Always
           env:
             - name: WATCH_NAMESPACE
diff --git a/config/rbac/submariner-operator/role.yaml b/config/rbac/submariner-operator/role.yaml
index 91d88aed2..cca136ddf 100644
--- a/config/rbac/submariner-operator/role.yaml
+++ b/config/rbac/submariner-operator/role.yaml
@@ -93,3 +93,14 @@ rules:
       - servicediscoveries/finalizers
     verbs:
       - update
+  - apiGroups:
+      - coordination.k8s.io
+    resources:
+      - leases
+    verbs:
+      - get
+      - list
+      - watch
+      - create
+      - update
+      - delete