diff --git a/api/v1beta1/machine_types.go b/api/v1beta1/machine_types.go
index 504bc807d851..f4a1cdee5609 100644
--- a/api/v1beta1/machine_types.go
+++ b/api/v1beta1/machine_types.go
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@ type Bootstrap struct {
 	// dataSecretName is the name of the secret that stores the bootstrap data script.
 	// If nil, the Machine should remain in the Pending state.
 	// +optional
-	// +kubebuilder:validation:MinLength=1
+	// +kubebuilder:validation:MinLength=0
 	// +kubebuilder:validation:MaxLength=253
 	DataSecretName *string `json:"dataSecretName,omitempty"`
 }
diff --git a/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinedeployments.yaml b/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinedeployments.yaml
index 74ff1ad5ff33..9445c87666e2 100644
--- a/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinedeployments.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinedeployments.yaml
@@ -1443,7 +1443,7 @@ spec:
                               dataSecretName is the name of the secret that stores the bootstrap data script.
                               If nil, the Machine should remain in the Pending state.
                             maxLength: 253
-                            minLength: 1
+                            minLength: 0
                             type: string
                         type: object
                       clusterName:
diff --git a/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinepools.yaml b/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinepools.yaml
index 441f19f0ff89..c2949543da52 100644
--- a/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinepools.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinepools.yaml
@@ -1181,7 +1181,7 @@ spec:
                               dataSecretName is the name of the secret that stores the bootstrap data script.
                               If nil, the Machine should remain in the Pending state.
                             maxLength: 253
-                            minLength: 1
+                            minLength: 0
                             type: string
                         type: object
                       clusterName:
diff --git a/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machines.yaml b/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machines.yaml
index 5de66bb9bf5b..9bab29a54d46 100644
--- a/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machines.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machines.yaml
@@ -940,7 +940,7 @@ spec:
                       dataSecretName is the name of the secret that stores the bootstrap data script.
                       If nil, the Machine should remain in the Pending state.
                     maxLength: 253
-                    minLength: 1
+                    minLength: 0
                     type: string
                 type: object
               clusterName:
diff --git a/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinesets.yaml b/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinesets.yaml
index b9d538ffdd29..1be115b85019 100644
--- a/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinesets.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/bases/cluster.x-k8s.io_machinesets.yaml
@@ -1195,7 +1195,7 @@ spec:
                               dataSecretName is the name of the secret that stores the bootstrap data script.
                               If nil, the Machine should remain in the Pending state.
                             maxLength: 253
-                            minLength: 1
+                            minLength: 0
                             type: string
                         type: object
                       clusterName: