diff --git a/config/configStructs/tapConfig.go b/config/configStructs/tapConfig.go
index c9e6f1a2f..1251e8e99 100644
--- a/config/configStructs/tapConfig.go
+++ b/config/configStructs/tapConfig.go
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ type SentryConfig struct {
 }
 
 type WatchdogConfig struct {
-	Enabled bool `yaml:"enabled" json:"enabled" default:"true"`
+	Enabled bool `yaml:"enabled" json:"enabled" default:"false"`
 }
 
 type GitopsConfig struct {