diff --git a/internal/controller/exporter_controller.go b/internal/controller/exporter_controller.go
index aaecb81..83ac7d3 100644
--- a/internal/controller/exporter_controller.go
+++ b/internal/controller/exporter_controller.go
@@ -82,17 +82,20 @@ func (r *ExporterReconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, req ctrl.Request) (c
 		return ctrl.Result{}, err
 	}
 
-	exporter.Status.LeaseRef = nil
+	var leaseRef *corev1.LocalObjectReference
 	for _, lease := range leases.Items {
 		if !lease.Status.Ended && lease.Status.ExporterRef != nil {
 			if lease.Status.ExporterRef.Name == exporter.Name {
-				exporter.Status.LeaseRef = &corev1.LocalObjectReference{Name: lease.Name}
+				leaseRef = &corev1.LocalObjectReference{Name: lease.Name}
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if err = r.Status().Update(ctx, exporter); err != nil {
-		logger.Error(err, "reconcile: unable to update Exporter with leaseRef", "exporter", req.NamespacedName)
-		return ctrl.Result{}, err
+	if !compareLocalObjectReference(exporter.Status.LeaseRef, leaseRef) {
+		exporter.Status.LeaseRef = leaseRef
+		if err = r.Status().Update(ctx, exporter); err != nil {
+			logger.Error(err, "reconcile: unable to update Exporter with leaseRef", "exporter", req.NamespacedName)
+			return ctrl.Result{}, err
+		}
 	}
 
 	if exporter.Status.Credential == nil {
@@ -159,6 +162,16 @@ func (r *ExporterReconciler) secretForExporter(exporter *jumpstarterdevv1alpha1.
 	return secret, nil
 }
 
+func compareLocalObjectReference(a, b *corev1.LocalObjectReference) bool {
+	if a == nil && b == nil {
+		return true
+	}
+	if a == nil || b == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	return *a == *b
+}
+
 // SetupWithManager sets up the controller with the Manager.
 func (r *ExporterReconciler) SetupWithManager(mgr ctrl.Manager) error {
 	return ctrl.NewControllerManagedBy(mgr).