diff --git a/pkg/innerring/innerring.go b/pkg/innerring/innerring.go
index 50a37845b..53a07e36c 100644
--- a/pkg/innerring/innerring.go
+++ b/pkg/innerring/innerring.go
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ type (
 		// to the application.
 		runners []func(chan<- error) error
 
+		// cmode used for upgrade scenario.
+		// nolint:unused
 		cmode *atomic.Bool
 	}