diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/ControllerTest.java b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/ControllerTest.java
index 13e02278d4..a81f524326 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/ControllerTest.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/ControllerTest.java
@@ -88,9 +88,12 @@ void callsCleanupOnWorkflowWhenHasCleanerAndReconcilerIsNotCleaner(boolean recon
       boolean workflowIsCleaner,
       boolean isExplicitWorkflowInvocation,
       boolean workflowCleanerExecuted) throws Exception {
-    Reconciler reconciler = mock(Reconciler.class);
+
+    Reconciler reconciler;
     if (reconcilerIsCleaner) {
       reconciler = mock(Reconciler.class, withSettings().extraInterfaces(Cleaner.class));
+    } else {
+      reconciler = mock(Reconciler.class);
     }
 
     final var configuration = MockControllerConfiguration.forResource(Secret.class);