diff --git a/api/v1alpha1/healthcheck_types.go b/api/v1alpha1/healthcheck_types.go
index 6a21b52645..11f6677730 100644
--- a/api/v1alpha1/healthcheck_types.go
+++ b/api/v1alpha1/healthcheck_types.go
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ type HTTPActiveHealthChecker struct {
 	// +kubebuilder:validation:MinLength=1
 	// +kubebuilder:validation:MaxLength=253
 	// +kubebuilder:validation:Pattern=`^[a-z0-9]([-a-z0-9]*[a-z0-9])?(\.[a-z0-9]([-a-z0-9]*[a-z0-9])?)*$`
+	// +optional
 	Hostname *string `json:"hostname,omitempty" yaml:"hostname,omitempty"`
 	// Path defines the HTTP path that will be requested during health checking.
 	// +kubebuilder:validation:MinLength=1
diff --git a/site/content/en/latest/api/extension_types.md b/site/content/en/latest/api/extension_types.md
index 95c3f22cf7..53b146792f 100644
--- a/site/content/en/latest/api/extension_types.md
+++ b/site/content/en/latest/api/extension_types.md
@@ -2113,7 +2113,7 @@ _Appears in:_
 
 | Field | Type | Required | Default | Description |
 | ---   | ---  | ---      | ---     | ---         |
-| `hostname` | _string_ |  true  |  | Hostname defines the HTTP host that will be requested during health checking.<br />Default: HTTPRoute or GRPCRoute hostname. |
+| `hostname` | _string_ |  false  |  | Hostname defines the HTTP host that will be requested during health checking.<br />Default: HTTPRoute or GRPCRoute hostname. |
 | `path` | _string_ |  true  |  | Path defines the HTTP path that will be requested during health checking. |
 | `method` | _string_ |  false  |  | Method defines the HTTP method used for health checking.<br />Defaults to GET |
 | `expectedStatuses` | _[HTTPStatus](#httpstatus) array_ |  false  |  | ExpectedStatuses defines a list of HTTP response statuses considered healthy.<br />Defaults to 200 only |