diff --git a/api/v1beta1/policyautomation_types.go b/api/v1beta1/policyautomation_types.go
index a15cb14d..0c5775b8 100644
--- a/api/v1beta1/policyautomation_types.go
+++ b/api/v1beta1/policyautomation_types.go
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ type PolicyAutomationSpec struct {
 	// "noncompliant".
 	//
 	// +kubebuilder:validation:Enum={noncompliant}
-	// +kubebuilder:validation:Required
+	// +kubebuilder:default=noncompliant
 	EventHook string `json:"eventHook,omitempty"`
 
 	// RescanAfter is reserved for future use and should not be set.
diff --git a/deploy/crds/policy.open-cluster-management.io_policyautomations.yaml b/deploy/crds/policy.open-cluster-management.io_policyautomations.yaml
index 07aa3116..6386db48 100644
--- a/deploy/crds/policy.open-cluster-management.io_policyautomations.yaml
+++ b/deploy/crds/policy.open-cluster-management.io_policyautomations.yaml
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ spec:
                 minimum: 0
                 type: integer
               eventHook:
+                default: noncompliant
                 description: >-
                   EventHook specifies the compliance state that initiates automation. This must be set to
                   "noncompliant".
@@ -116,7 +117,6 @@ spec:
                 type: string
             required:
             - automationDef
-            - eventHook
             - mode
             - policyRef
             type: object