diff --git a/controllers/openstackmachine_controller.go b/controllers/openstackmachine_controller.go
index a07b5144b0..10a8a92d19 100644
--- a/controllers/openstackmachine_controller.go
+++ b/controllers/openstackmachine_controller.go
@@ -391,6 +391,9 @@ func (r *OpenStackMachineReconciler) reconcileNormal(ctx context.Context, scope
 		Address: instanceStatus.Name(),
 	})
 	openStackMachine.Status.Addresses = addresses
+	if openStackMachine.Spec.IdentityRef == nil {
+		openStackMachine.Spec.IdentityRef = &openStackCluster.Spec.IdentityRef
+	}
 
 	result := r.reconcileMachineState(scope, openStackMachine, machine, machineServer)
 	if result != nil {