diff --git a/roles/openvswitch/tasks/main.yml b/roles/openvswitch/tasks/main.yml
index 99de91c..002c6db 100644
--- a/roles/openvswitch/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/openvswitch/tasks/main.yml
@@ -27,6 +27,21 @@
         that:
           - "'LimitMEMLOCK=infinity' in _openvswitch_memlock_value.stdout"
 
+- name: Cache openvswitch image before install or upgrade
+  block:
+    - name: Pull openvswitch image
+      ansible.builtin.command: crictl pull {{ atmosphere_images['openvswitch_vswitchd'] }}
+      register: pull_result
+      changed_when: false
+
+    - name: Verify openvswitch image pull
+      ansible.builtin.assert:
+        that:
+          - pull_result.rc == 0
+          - "'Image is up to date' in pull_result.stdout or 'Image pulled' in pull_result.stdout"
+        fail_msg: "Failed to pull openvswitch image"
+        success_msg: "Successfully pulled openvswitch image"
+
 - name: Deploy Helm chart
   run_once: true
   delegate_to: "{{ groups['controllers'][0] }}"