diff --git a/rqt_controller_manager/rqt_controller_manager/controller_manager.py b/rqt_controller_manager/rqt_controller_manager/controller_manager.py
index 4cb6c01e09..20b2f47a1a 100644
--- a/rqt_controller_manager/rqt_controller_manager/controller_manager.py
+++ b/rqt_controller_manager/rqt_controller_manager/controller_manager.py
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ def _on_ctrl_menu(self, pos):
             if action is action_configure:
                 configure_controller(self._node, self._cm_name, ctrl.name)
             elif action is action_spawn:
-                load_controller(self._node, self._cm_name, ctrl.name)
+                configure_controller(self._node, self._cm_name, ctrl.name)
                 self._activate_controller(ctrl.name)
         else:
             # Assume controller isn't loaded