diff --git a/cmd/k8s-operator/deploy/chart/templates/deployment.yaml b/cmd/k8s-operator/deploy/chart/templates/deployment.yaml
index 0f2dc42fc..08e0a1361 100644
--- a/cmd/k8s-operator/deploy/chart/templates/deployment.yaml
+++ b/cmd/k8s-operator/deploy/chart/templates/deployment.yaml
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ spec:
       imagePullSecrets:
         {{- toYaml . | nindent 8 }}
       {{- end }}
+      {{- if .Values.operatorConfig.priorityClassName }}
+      priorityClassName: {{ .Values.operatorConfig.priorityClassName }}
+      {{- end }}
       serviceAccountName: operator
       {{- with .Values.operatorConfig.podSecurityContext }}
       securityContext:
diff --git a/cmd/k8s-operator/deploy/chart/values.yaml b/cmd/k8s-operator/deploy/chart/values.yaml
index eb11fc7f2..d9105a1c5 100644
--- a/cmd/k8s-operator/deploy/chart/values.yaml
+++ b/cmd/k8s-operator/deploy/chart/values.yaml
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ operatorConfig:
 
   podAnnotations: {}
   podLabels: {}
+  
+  priorityClassName: ""
 
   serviceAccountAnnotations: {}
   # eks.amazonaws.com/role-arn: arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/tailscale-operator-role