diff --git a/apps/external-secrets.yaml b/apps/external-secrets.yaml
index d2821cf..9aeffdb 100644
--- a/apps/external-secrets.yaml
+++ b/apps/external-secrets.yaml
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ spec:
       selfHeal: true
     syncOptions:
     - CreateNamespace=true
+    # needed because the CRDs are too long for kubectl apply
+    - ServerSideApply=true
   source:
     repoURL: https://charts.external-secrets.io
     chart: external-secrets