diff --git a/k8s/deployment.yaml b/k8s/deployment.yaml
index 698be4c0..a482b1d1 100644
--- a/k8s/deployment.yaml
+++ b/k8s/deployment.yaml
@@ -22,7 +22,12 @@ spec:
           image: gcr.io/PROJECT_ID/REPOSITORY/IMAGE:GITHUB_SHA
           workingDir: "/opt/pbot"
           command: ["/opt/pbot/bin/pbot"]
-          args: ["data_dir=/mnt/persistent", "irc.botnick=candide2"]
+          args:
+            [
+              "data_dir=/mnt/persistent",
+              "irc.botnick=candide2",
+              "general.daemon=1",
+            ]
           volumeMounts:
             - mountPath: /mnt/persistent
               name: persistent