diff --git a/.changelog/11318.txt b/.changelog/11318.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ed32f82154
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changelog/11318.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+```release-note:bug
+api: fixed backwards compatibility issue with AgentService SocketPath field.
+```
diff --git a/api/agent.go b/api/agent.go
index 032446af47..e4be1e6dc2 100644
--- a/api/agent.go
+++ b/api/agent.go
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ type AgentService struct {
 	Meta              map[string]string
 	Port              int
 	Address           string
-	SocketPath        string
+	SocketPath        string                    `json:",omitempty"`
 	TaggedAddresses   map[string]ServiceAddress `json:",omitempty"`
 	Weights           AgentWeights
 	EnableTagOverride bool