diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/sample-controller/main.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/sample-controller/main.go
index e8574a24577..44f8504ba35 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/sample-controller/main.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/sample-controller/main.go
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ var (
 )
 
 func main() {
+	klog.InitFlags(nil)
 	flag.Parse()
 
 	// set up signals so we handle the first shutdown signal gracefully