diff --git a/cmd/controller/controller.go b/cmd/controller/controller.go
index 696f1fcff652..f28d4fa8d3af 100644
--- a/cmd/controller/controller.go
+++ b/cmd/controller/controller.go
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ func (c *command) start(ctx context.Context, flags *config.ControllerOptions, de
 		})
 	}
 
-	if controllerMode != config.SingleNodeMode && !slices.Contains(flags.DisableComponents, constant.ControlAPIComponentName) {
+	if !slices.Contains(flags.DisableComponents, constant.ControlAPIComponentName) && nodeConfig.Spec.Storage.IsJoinable() {
 		nodeComponents.Add(ctx, &controller.K0SControlAPI{RuntimeConfig: rtc})
 	}