diff --git a/bundle/manifests/opendatahub-operator.clusterserviceversion.yaml b/bundle/manifests/opendatahub-operator.clusterserviceversion.yaml
index ad5272d170a..4ca35a31f59 100644
--- a/bundle/manifests/opendatahub-operator.clusterserviceversion.yaml
+++ b/bundle/manifests/opendatahub-operator.clusterserviceversion.yaml
@@ -104,11 +104,11 @@ metadata:
     certified: "False"
     containerImage: quay.io/opendatahub/opendatahub-operator:v2.18.0
     createdAt: "2024-09-17T16:16:19Z"
-    olm.skipRange: '>=1.0.0 <2.18.0'
+    olm.skipRange: '>=1.0.0 <2.18.1'
     operators.operatorframework.io/builder: operator-sdk-v1.31.0
     operators.operatorframework.io/project_layout: go.kubebuilder.io/v3
     repository: https://github.com/opendatahub-io/opendatahub-operator
-  name: opendatahub-operator.v2.18.0
+  name: opendatahub-operator.v2.18.1
   namespace: placeholder
 spec:
   apiservicedefinitions: {}
@@ -1131,6 +1131,8 @@ spec:
                       fieldPath: metadata.namespace
                 - name: DEFAULT_MANIFESTS_PATH
                   value: /opt/manifests
+                - name: ODH_PLATFORM_TYPE
+                  value: OpenDataHub
                 image: REPLACE_IMAGE:latest
                 imagePullPolicy: Always
                 livenessProbe:
@@ -1216,7 +1218,7 @@ spec:
   selector:
     matchLabels:
       component: opendatahub-operator
-  version: 2.18.0
+  version: 2.18.1
   webhookdefinitions:
   - admissionReviewVersions:
     - v1
diff --git a/config/manager/manager.yaml b/config/manager/manager.yaml
index 0aadbcc2e89..bff26ae5022 100644
--- a/config/manager/manager.yaml
+++ b/config/manager/manager.yaml
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ spec:
                 fieldPath: metadata.namespace
           - name: DEFAULT_MANIFESTS_PATH
             value: /opt/manifests
+          - name: ODH_PLATFORM_TYPE
+            value: OpenDataHub
         args:
         - --leader-elect
         - --operator-name=opendatahub
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/cluster_config.go b/pkg/cluster/cluster_config.go
index a1c462aeeee..13a82632357 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/cluster_config.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/cluster_config.go
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func detectManagedRHODS(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (Platform, error
 	return ManagedRhods, nil
 }
 
-func GetPlatform(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (Platform, error) {
+func DetectPlatform(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (Platform, error) {
 	// First check if its addon installation to return 'ManagedRhods, nil'
 	if platform, err := detectManagedRHODS(ctx, cli); err != nil {
 		return Unknown, err
@@ -126,6 +126,20 @@ func GetPlatform(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (Platform, error) {
 	return detectSelfManaged(ctx, cli)
 }
 
+func GetPlatform(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (Platform, error) {
+	switch os.Getenv("ODH_PLATFORM_TYPE") {
+	case "OpenDataHub", "":
+		return OpenDataHub, nil
+	case "ManagedRHOAI":
+		return ManagedRhods, nil
+	case "SelfManagedRHOAI":
+		return SelfManagedRhods, nil
+	default:
+		// fall back to detect platform if ODH_PLATFORM_TYPE env is not provided
+		return DetectPlatform(ctx, cli)
+	}
+}
+
 // Release includes information on operator version and platform
 // +kubebuilder:object:generate=true
 type Release struct {
@@ -141,7 +155,7 @@ func GetRelease(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (Release, error) {
 		},
 	}
 	// Set platform
-	platform, err := GetPlatform(ctx, cli)
+	platform, err := DetectPlatform(ctx, cli)
 	if err != nil {
 		return initRelease, err
 	}