diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/dependent/kubernetes/KubernetesDependentResource.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/dependent/kubernetes/KubernetesDependentResource.java
index 45951237be..20e83f02bf 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/dependent/kubernetes/KubernetesDependentResource.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/dependent/kubernetes/KubernetesDependentResource.java
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ public R update(R actual, R target, P primary, Context<P> context) {
           .forceConflicts().serverSideApply();
     } else {
       var updatedActual = updaterMatcher.updateResource(actual, target, context);
-      updatedResource = prepare(updatedActual, primary, "Updating").replace();
+      updatedResource = prepare(updatedActual, primary, "Updating").update();
     }
     log.debug("Resource version after update: {}",
         updatedResource.getMetadata().getResourceVersion());