diff --git a/changes/33222-fix-controls-top-nav b/changes/33222-fix-controls-top-nav
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..81761e9f3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/33222-fix-controls-top-nav
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+- Fixed issue where "Controls" link in the top nav didn't always go to the default controls page.
diff --git a/frontend/components/top_nav/SiteTopNav/navItems.ts b/frontend/components/top_nav/SiteTopNav/navItems.ts
index 00e145ae4b..794d07f1a0 100644
--- a/frontend/components/top_nav/SiteTopNav/navItems.ts
+++ b/frontend/components/top_nav/SiteTopNav/navItems.ts
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ export default (
         pathname: PATHS.CONTROLS,
       },
       exclude: !isMaintainerOrAdmin,
+      alwaysToPathname: true,
       withParams: { type: "query", names: ["team_id"] },
     },
     {