diff --git a/docs/source/operators/deploy-kubernetes.md b/docs/source/operators/deploy-kubernetes.md
index 48b3aaf0e..5145d2ac4 100644
--- a/docs/source/operators/deploy-kubernetes.md
+++ b/docs/source/operators/deploy-kubernetes.md
@@ -488,11 +488,12 @@ can override them with helm's `--set` or `--values` options. Always use `--set`
 | `authToken`                                | Optional authorization token passed in all requests (see --EnterpriseGatewayApp.auth_token)                                                                                                                                                      | `nil`                                                                          |
 | `kernel.clusterRole`                       | Kernel cluster role created by this chart. Used if no KERNEL_NAMESPACE is provided by client.                                                                                                                                                    | `kernel-controller`                                                            |
 | `kernel.shareGatewayNamespace`             | Will start kernels in the same namespace as EG if True.                                                                                                                                                                                          | `false`                                                                        |
+| `kernel.defaultServiceAccountName`         | Service account name to use for kernel pods when no service account is specified. This service account should exist in the namespace where kernel pods are launched.                                                                             | `default`                                                                      |
 | `kernel.launchTimeout`                     | Timeout for kernel launching in seconds.                                                                                                                                                                                                         | `60`                                                                           |
 | `kernel.cullIdleTimeout`                   | Idle timeout in seconds. Default is 1 hour.                                                                                                                                                                                                      | `3600`                                                                         |
 | `kernel.cullConnected`                     | Whether to cull idle kernels that still have clients connected.                                                                                                                                                                                  | `false`                                                                        |
 | `kernel.allowedKernels`                    | List of kernel names that are available for use.                                                                                                                                                                                                 | `{r_kubernetes,...}` (see `values.yaml`)                                       |
-| `kernel.defaultKernelName`                 | Default kernel name should be something from the allowedKernels                                                                                                                                                                                  | `python-kubernetes`                                                            |
+| `kernel.defaultKernelName`                 | Default kernel name should be something from the allowedKernels                                                                                                                                                                                  | `python_kubernetes`                                                            |
 | `kernelspecs.image`                        | Optional custom data image containing kernelspecs to use. Cannot be used with NFS enabled.                                                                                                                                                       | `nil`                                                                          |
 | `kernelspecs.imagePullPolicy`              | Kernelspecs image pull policy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | `Always`                                                                       |
 | `nfs.enabled`                              | Whether NFS-mounted kernelspecs are enabled. Cannot be used with `kernelspecs.image` set.                                                                                                                                                        | `false`                                                                        |
diff --git a/etc/kubernetes/helm/enterprise-gateway/templates/deployment.yaml b/etc/kubernetes/helm/enterprise-gateway/templates/deployment.yaml
index 771318a6a..a04ce7a15 100644
--- a/etc/kubernetes/helm/enterprise-gateway/templates/deployment.yaml
+++ b/etc/kubernetes/helm/enterprise-gateway/templates/deployment.yaml
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ spec:
           value: {{ toJson .Values.kernel.allowedKernels | squote }}
         - name: EG_DEFAULT_KERNEL_NAME
           value: {{ .Values.kernel.defaultKernelName }}
+        - name: EG_DEFAULT_KERNEL_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_NAME
+          value: {{ .Values.kernel.defaultServiceAccountName }}
         # Optional authorization token passed in all requests
         {{- if .Values.authToken }}
         - name: EG_AUTH_TOKEN
diff --git a/etc/kubernetes/helm/enterprise-gateway/values.yaml b/etc/kubernetes/helm/enterprise-gateway/values.yaml
index 493bb3ebf..38d5de9a4 100644
--- a/etc/kubernetes/helm/enterprise-gateway/values.yaml
+++ b/etc/kubernetes/helm/enterprise-gateway/values.yaml
@@ -108,6 +108,9 @@ kernel:
     - spark_python_operator
   # Default kernel name should be something from the allowedKernels
   defaultKernelName: python_kubernetes
+  # Service account name to use for kernel pods when no service account is specified.
+  # This service account should exist in the namespace where kernel pods are launched.
+  defaultServiceAccountName: default
 
 kernelspecs:
   # Optional custom data image containing kernelspecs to use.