diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/client-go/tools/leaderelection/leaderelection.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/client-go/tools/leaderelection/leaderelection.go
index d9d87d55f24..53a21e84e7c 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/client-go/tools/leaderelection/leaderelection.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/client-go/tools/leaderelection/leaderelection.go
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ func (le *LeaderElector) tryAcquireOrRenew(ctx context.Context) bool {
 			le.setObservedRecord(&leaderElectionRecord)
 			return true
 		}
-		klog.Errorf("Failed to update lock optimitically: %v, falling back to slow path", err)
+		klog.Errorf("Failed to update lock optimistically: %v, falling back to slow path", err)
 	}
 
 	// 2. obtain or create the ElectionRecord