diff --git a/cmd/kubectl-directpv/install.go b/cmd/kubectl-directpv/install.go
index ce12b421..bd330847 100644
--- a/cmd/kubectl-directpv/install.go
+++ b/cmd/kubectl-directpv/install.go
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/admin/installer"
 	"github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/consts"
 	"github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/k8s"
-	legacyclient "github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/legacy/client"
 	"github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/utils"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 	corev1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
@@ -192,11 +191,6 @@ func installMain(ctx context.Context) {
 	var failed bool
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	var installedComponents []installer.Component
-	legacyClient, err := legacyclient.NewClient(adminClient.K8s())
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Println("error creating legacy client:", err)
-		return
-	}
 	installerTasks := installer.GetDefaultTasks(adminClient.Client, legacyClient)
 	enableProgress := !dryRun && !declarativeFlag && !quietFlag
 	if enableProgress {
diff --git a/cmd/kubectl-directpv/main.go b/cmd/kubectl-directpv/main.go
index 089455c8..b77f665f 100644
--- a/cmd/kubectl-directpv/main.go
+++ b/cmd/kubectl-directpv/main.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/admin"
 	"github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/consts"
 	"github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/k8s"
+	legacy "github.com/minio/directpv/pkg/legacy/client"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 	"github.com/spf13/viper"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/rest"
@@ -37,8 +38,9 @@ import (
 var Version string
 
 var (
-	disableInit bool
-	adminClient *admin.Client
+	disableInit  bool
+	adminClient  *admin.Client
+	legacyClient *legacy.Client
 )
 
 var mainCmd = &cobra.Command{
@@ -61,6 +63,13 @@ var mainCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			if err != nil {
 				klog.Fatalf("unable to create admin client; %v", err)
 			}
+			legacyClient, err = legacy.NewClient(adminClient.K8s())
+			if err != nil {
+				klog.Fatalf("unable to create legacy client; %v", err)
+			}
+		} else {
+			adminClient = &admin.Client{}
+			legacyClient = &legacy.Client{}
 		}
 		return nil
 	},