diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index e15354b0c..2e3d8f2b2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Helm
         uses: azure/setup-helm@v1
         with:
-          version: v3.5.3
+          version: v3.8.1
 
       - name: Lint Helm Charts
         run: helm lint charts/*
diff --git a/charts/tezos/templates/_containers.tpl b/charts/tezos/templates/_containers.tpl
index 31f4022d4..917d2ad9b 100644
--- a/charts/tezos/templates/_containers.tpl
+++ b/charts/tezos/templates/_containers.tpl
@@ -160,12 +160,14 @@
       name: config-volume
     - mountPath: /var/tezos
       name: var-volume
+{{- if not (eq  $.node_vals.readiness_probe false) }}
   readinessProbe:
     httpGet:
       path: /is_synced
       port: 31732
 {{- end }}
 {{- end }}
+{{- end }}
 
 {{- define "tezos.container.tezedge" }}
 {{- if eq (include "tezos.getNodeImplementation" $) "tezedge" }}
@@ -354,6 +356,7 @@ Also start endorser for protocols that need it.
 {{- end }}
 
 {{- define "tezos.container.sidecar" }}
+{{- if not (eq $.node_vals.readiness_probe false) }}
 - command:
     - python
   args:
@@ -364,6 +367,7 @@ Also start endorser for protocols that need it.
   imagePullPolicy: IfNotPresent
   name: sidecar
 {{- end }}
+{{- end }}
 
 {{- define "tezos.container.zerotier" }}
 {{- if (include "tezos.doesZerotierConfigExist" .) }}
diff --git a/charts/tezos/values.yaml b/charts/tezos/values.yaml
index 4c791d21a..ee9d49ca3 100644
--- a/charts/tezos/values.yaml
+++ b/charts/tezos/values.yaml
@@ -93,6 +93,15 @@ accounts: {}
 ##      automatically for you.
 ## - "node_selector": Specify a kubernetes node selector in 'key: value' format
 ##     for your tezos nodes.
+## - "readiness_probe": Attach a probe to the node. The probe checks whether
+##                    the most recent block is recent enough. If not, the
+##                    services will be unreachable. Defaults to True.
+##                    True is good for RPC nodes, private nodes, and
+##                    self-contained private chains.
+##                    Recommended to set to False when bootstrapping a new
+##                    chain with external bakers, such as a new test chain.
+##                    Otherwise, the chain may become unreachable externally
+##                    while waiting for other nodes to come online.
 ## - "instances": a list of nodes to fire up, each is a dictionary defining:
 ##    - "bake_using_account": Account name that should be used for baking.
 ##    - "bake_using_accounts": List of account names that should be used for baking.