diff --git a/manifests/machineconfigcontroller/deployment.yaml b/manifests/machineconfigcontroller/deployment.yaml
index 3511c3d3fa..868ded5d75 100644
--- a/manifests/machineconfigcontroller/deployment.yaml
+++ b/manifests/machineconfigcontroller/deployment.yaml
@@ -22,11 +22,6 @@ spec:
         - "start"
         - "--resourcelock-namespace={{.TargetNamespace}}"
         - "--v=2"
-        env:
-        - name: POD_NAME
-          valueFrom:
-            fieldRef:
-              fieldPath: metadata.name
         resources:
           requests:
             cpu: 20m
diff --git a/pkg/controller/drain/drain_controller.go b/pkg/controller/drain/drain_controller.go
index 01fa248b01..e06fea0348 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/drain/drain_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/drain/drain_controller.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -68,7 +67,6 @@ type Controller struct {
 
 	queue         workqueue.RateLimitingInterface
 	ongoingDrains map[string]time.Time
-	podName       string
 }
 
 // New returns a new node controller.
@@ -122,12 +120,6 @@ func (ctrl *Controller) Run(workers int, stopCh <-chan struct{}) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	podName, ok := os.LookupEnv("POD_NAME")
-	if !ok || podName == "" {
-		glog.Fatalf("pod name is required for controller drainer")
-	}
-	ctrl.podName = podName
-
 	ongoingDrains := make(map[string]time.Time)
 	ctrl.ongoingDrains = ongoingDrains
 
@@ -269,14 +261,6 @@ func (ctrl *Controller) syncNode(key string) error {
 			}
 			ctrl.logNode(node, "%s pod %s/%s", verbStr, pod.Namespace, pod.Name)
 		},
-		AdditionalFilters: []drain.PodFilter{
-			func(pod corev1.Pod) drain.PodDeleteStatus {
-				if pod.Name == ctrl.podName {
-					return drain.MakePodDeleteStatusSkip()
-				}
-				return drain.MakePodDeleteStatusOkay()
-			},
-		},
 		Out:    writer{glog.Info},
 		ErrOut: writer{glog.Error},
 		Ctx:    context.TODO(),