diff --git a/pkg/certwatcher/certwatcher.go b/pkg/certwatcher/certwatcher.go
index c323240982..1cb1168373 100644
--- a/pkg/certwatcher/certwatcher.go
+++ b/pkg/certwatcher/certwatcher.go
@@ -240,3 +240,9 @@ func (cw *CertWatcher) handleEvent(event fsnotify.Event) {
 		log.Error(err, "error re-reading certificate")
 	}
 }
+
+// NeedLeaderElection indicates that the cert-manager
+// does not need leader election.
+func (cw *CertWatcher) NeedLeaderElection() bool {
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/pkg/certwatcher/certwatcher_test.go b/pkg/certwatcher/certwatcher_test.go
index 5579c3fdad..9737925a6b 100644
--- a/pkg/certwatcher/certwatcher_test.go
+++ b/pkg/certwatcher/certwatcher_test.go
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import (
 
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/certwatcher"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/certwatcher/metrics"
+	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/manager"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("CertWatcher", func() {
@@ -92,6 +93,12 @@ var _ = Describe("CertWatcher", func() {
 			}
 		})
 
+		It("should not require LeaderElection", func() {
+			leaderElectionRunnable, isLeaderElectionRunnable := any(watcher).(manager.LeaderElectionRunnable)
+			Expect(isLeaderElectionRunnable).To(BeTrue())
+			Expect(leaderElectionRunnable.NeedLeaderElection()).To(BeFalse())
+		})
+
 		It("should read the initial cert/key", func() {
 			// This test verifies the initial read succeeded. So interval doesn't matter.
 			doneCh := startWatcher(10 * time.Second)