diff --git a/kustomize.mk b/kustomize.mk
index 78e325a..60dacac 100644
--- a/kustomize.mk
+++ b/kustomize.mk
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ endif
 
 # actual deployment is happening here
 	@- echo "\n### applying kustomizations"
-	@ cd $(KUSTOMIZE_FOLDER) && kubectl apply -k . -n $(NAMESPACE)
+	@ cd $(KUSTOMIZE_FOLDER) && kustomize build . | envsubst | kubectl apply -n $(NAMESPACE) -f -
 
 pull-kustomize:
 # nop