diff --git a/manifests/macvtap.yaml b/manifests/macvtap.yaml
index 2db5409d..c9df8388 100644
--- a/manifests/macvtap.yaml
+++ b/manifests/macvtap.yaml
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ spec:
     spec:
       hostNetwork: true
       hostPID: true
+      priorityClassName: system-node-critical
       containers:
       - name: macvtap-cni
         command: ["/macvtap-deviceplugin", "-v", "3", "-logtostderr"]
diff --git a/templates/macvtap.yaml.in b/templates/macvtap.yaml.in
index 0b0734a3..e2a9446c 100644
--- a/templates/macvtap.yaml.in
+++ b/templates/macvtap.yaml.in
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ spec:
     spec:
       hostNetwork: true
       hostPID: true
+      priorityClassName: system-node-critical
       containers:
       - name: macvtap-cni
         command: ["/macvtap-deviceplugin", "-v", "3", "-logtostderr"]