diff --git a/charts/ingress-nginx/templates/controller-service-metrics.yaml b/charts/ingress-nginx/templates/controller-service-metrics.yaml
index 1b690192c..0aaf41473 100644
--- a/charts/ingress-nginx/templates/controller-service-metrics.yaml
+++ b/charts/ingress-nginx/templates/controller-service-metrics.yaml
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ spec:
   ports:
     - name: metrics
       port: {{ .Values.controller.metrics.service.servicePort }}
+      protocol: TCP
       targetPort: metrics
     {{- $setNodePorts := (or (eq .Values.controller.metrics.service.type "NodePort") (eq .Values.controller.metrics.service.type "LoadBalancer")) }}
     {{- if (and $setNodePorts (not (empty .Values.controller.metrics.service.nodePort))) }}