diff --git a/ci-operator/step-registry/optional-operators/operator-sdk/optional-operators-operator-sdk-commands.sh b/ci-operator/step-registry/optional-operators/operator-sdk/optional-operators-operator-sdk-commands.sh
index 8d113a3f1798a..319fb255b4b5d 100755
--- a/ci-operator/step-registry/optional-operators/operator-sdk/optional-operators-operator-sdk-commands.sh
+++ b/ci-operator/step-registry/optional-operators/operator-sdk/optional-operators-operator-sdk-commands.sh
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ fi
 
 INSTALL_MODE_ARG=""
 if [[ -n ${OO_INSTALL_MODE} ]]; then
-  INSTALL_MODE_ARG=--install-mode="${INSTALL_MODE_ARG}"
+  INSTALL_MODE_ARG=--install-mode="${OO_INSTALL_MODE}"
 fi
 (
   cd /tmp