diff --git a/hack/local-up-cluster.sh b/hack/local-up-cluster.sh
index 62117a9e8d6..e6195d73383 100755
--- a/hack/local-up-cluster.sh
+++ b/hack/local-up-cluster.sh
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ CGROUP_DRIVER=${CGROUP_DRIVER:-""}
 CGROUP_ROOT=${CGROUP_ROOT:-""}
 # owner of client certs, default to current user if not specified
 USER=${USER:-$(whoami)}
+# if true, limited swap is being used instead of unlimited swap (default)
+LIMITED_SWAP=${LIMITED_SWAP:-""}
 
 # required for cni installation
 CNI_CONFIG_DIR=${CNI_CONFIG_DIR:-/etc/cni/net.d}
@@ -832,6 +834,13 @@ tracing:
 EOF
     fi
 
+    if [[ "$LIMITED_SWAP" == "true" ]]; then
+        cat <<EOF >> "${TMP_DIR}"/kubelet.yaml
+memorySwap:
+  swapBehavior: LimitedSwap
+EOF
+    fi
+
     {
       # authentication
       echo "authentication:"