diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy.yaml b/.github/workflows/deploy.yaml
index 8fca764c2..583b704a2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy.yaml
@@ -56,11 +56,7 @@ jobs:
         if: matrix.install == 'static'
         env:
           IMG: "emqx/emqx-operator-controller:${{ github.sha }}"
-        run: |
-          make deploy
-          kubectl patch -n emqx-operator-system deployment emqx-operator-controller-manager \
-            --type=json \
-            -p='[{"op": "add", "path": "/spec/template/spec/containers/0/args/-", "value": "--zap-devel=true"}]'
+        run: make deploy
       - name: Deploy controller
         if: matrix.install == 'helm'
         run: |
diff --git a/config/manager/manager.yaml b/config/manager/manager.yaml
index 69c24ad19..1ce150230 100644
--- a/config/manager/manager.yaml
+++ b/config/manager/manager.yaml
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ spec:
         - --leader-elect
         - --metrics-bind-address=:8080
         - --health-probe-bind-address=:8081
+        - --zap-devel=true
         image: controller:latest
         name: manager
         securityContext: