diff --git a/kubernetes/apps/system-upgrade/system-upgrade-controller/ks.yaml b/kubernetes/apps/system-upgrade/system-upgrade-controller/ks.yaml
index cce5054b..8700ac9d 100644
--- a/kubernetes/apps/system-upgrade/system-upgrade-controller/ks.yaml
+++ b/kubernetes/apps/system-upgrade/system-upgrade-controller/ks.yaml
@@ -45,6 +45,6 @@ spec:
   postBuild:
     substitute:
       # renovate: datasource=docker depName=ghcr.io/siderolabs/installer
-      TALOS_VERSION: v1.7.6
+      TALOS_VERSION: v1.8.1
       # renovate: datasource=docker depName=ghcr.io/siderolabs/kubelet
       KUBERNETES_VERSION: v1.30.2