diff --git a/controller_manager/src/controller_manager_parameters.yaml b/controller_manager/src/controller_manager_parameters.yaml
index 1bb9b152b1..3370694cf6 100644
--- a/controller_manager/src/controller_manager_parameters.yaml
+++ b/controller_manager/src/controller_manager_parameters.yaml
@@ -7,6 +7,15 @@ controller_manager:
   }
 
   hardware_components_initial_state:
+    not_loaded: {
+      type: string_array,
+      default_value: [],
+      description: "Defines which hardware components should not be loaded activated when controller manager is started. If later used, these hardware components will need to be loaded, configured and activated manually or via a hardware spawner.",
+      validation: {
+        unique<>: null,
+      }
+    }
+
     unconfigured: {
       type: string_array,
       default_value: [],