diff --git a/controller/linodemachine_controller_helpers.go b/controller/linodemachine_controller_helpers.go
index b87a920ac..e43164b7a 100644
--- a/controller/linodemachine_controller_helpers.go
+++ b/controller/linodemachine_controller_helpers.go
@@ -88,13 +88,6 @@ func (r *LinodeMachineReconciler) newCreateConfig(ctx context.Context, machineSc
 		createConfig.RootPass = uuid.NewString()
 	}
 
-	// add public interface to linode (eth0)
-	iface := linodego.InstanceConfigInterfaceCreateOptions{
-		Purpose: linodego.InterfacePurposePublic,
-		Primary: true,
-	}
-	createConfig.Interfaces = append(createConfig.Interfaces, iface)
-
 	// if vpc, attach additional interface to linode (eth1)
 	if machineScope.LinodeCluster.Spec.VPCRef != nil {
 		iface, err := r.getVPCInterfaceConfig(ctx, machineScope, createConfig.Interfaces, logger)
diff --git a/templates/flavors/base/linodeMachineTemplate.yaml b/templates/flavors/base/linodeMachineTemplate.yaml
index b2ee8f19d..dd4c74610 100644
--- a/templates/flavors/base/linodeMachineTemplate.yaml
+++ b/templates/flavors/base/linodeMachineTemplate.yaml
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ spec:
       image: ${LINODE_OS:="linode/ubuntu22.04"}
       type: ${LINODE_CONTROL_PLANE_MACHINE_TYPE}
       region: ${LINODE_REGION}
+      interfaces:
+      - purpose: public
+        primary: true
       authorizedKeys:
       # uncomment to include your ssh key in linode provisioning
       # - ${LINODE_SSH_PUBKEY:=""}
@@ -23,6 +26,9 @@ spec:
       image: ${LINODE_OS:="linode/ubuntu22.04"}
       type: ${LINODE_MACHINE_TYPE}
       region: ${LINODE_REGION}
+      interfaces:
+      - purpose: public
+        primary: true
       authorizedKeys:
       # uncomment to include your ssh key in linode provisioning
       # - ${LINODE_SSH_PUBKEY:=""}