diff --git a/api/v1alpha1/hardware_types.go b/api/v1alpha1/hardware_types.go
index 5f4cf0b92..6927478d6 100644
--- a/api/v1alpha1/hardware_types.go
+++ b/api/v1alpha1/hardware_types.go
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ type IP struct {
 }
 
 type HardwareMetadata struct {
+	// +kubebuilder:default:=provisioning
 	State        string                `json:"state,omitempty"`
 	BondingMode  int64                 `json:"bonding_mode,omitempty"`
 	Manufacturer *MetadataManufacturer `json:"manufacturer,omitempty"`
diff --git a/config/crd/bases/tinkerbell.org_hardware.yaml b/config/crd/bases/tinkerbell.org_hardware.yaml
index cc404c30e..c23b8edd2 100644
--- a/config/crd/bases/tinkerbell.org_hardware.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/bases/tinkerbell.org_hardware.yaml
@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@ spec:
                           type: string
                       type: object
                     state:
+                      default: provisioning
                       type: string
                   type: object
                 resources: