diff --git a/pkg/controlplane/controller/leaderelection/run_with_leaderelection.go b/pkg/controlplane/controller/leaderelection/run_with_leaderelection.go
index f34c5a2e405..0b73170d1f7 100644
--- a/pkg/controlplane/controller/leaderelection/run_with_leaderelection.go
+++ b/pkg/controlplane/controller/leaderelection/run_with_leaderelection.go
@@ -50,7 +50,9 @@ func RunWithLeaderElection(ctx context.Context, config *rest.Config, newRunnerFn
 			run(ctx, 1)
 		},
 		OnStoppedLeading: func() {
-			cancel()
+			if cancel != nil {
+				cancel()
+			}
 		},
 	}