diff --git a/hack/skaffold/virtual-kubelet/base.yml b/hack/skaffold/virtual-kubelet/base.yml
index fc856874f..9fc3d2f62 100644
--- a/hack/skaffold/virtual-kubelet/base.yml
+++ b/hack/skaffold/virtual-kubelet/base.yml
@@ -12,9 +12,18 @@ rules:
   - ""
   resources:
   - configmaps
-  - pods
   - secrets
   verbs:
+  - get
+  - list
+  - watch
+- apiGroups:
+  - ""
+  resources:
+  - pods
+  verbs:
+  - delete
+  - get
   - list
   - watch
 - apiGroups:
@@ -29,7 +38,6 @@ rules:
   resources:
   - nodes/status
   verbs:
-  - get
   - update
 - apiGroups:
   - ""