diff --git a/exp/internal/controllers/machinepool_controller_phases.go b/exp/internal/controllers/machinepool_controller_phases.go
index cbd9c8a35904..e83c3f68bf84 100644
--- a/exp/internal/controllers/machinepool_controller_phases.go
+++ b/exp/internal/controllers/machinepool_controller_phases.go
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ func (r *MachinePoolReconciler) createOrUpdateMachines(ctx context.Context, mp *
 			log.Info("Creating new Machine for infraMachine", "infraMachine", klog.KObj(infraMachine))
 			machine := computeDesiredMachine(mp, infraMachine, nil)
 
-			if err := r.Client.Create(ctx, machine); err != nil {
+			if err := ssa.Patch(ctx, r.Client, MachinePoolControllerName, machine); err != nil {
 				errs = append(errs, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to create new Machine for infraMachine %q in namespace %q", infraMachine.GetName(), infraMachine.GetNamespace()))
 				continue
 			}