+++ This bug was initially created as a clone of Bug #2183501 +++

Description of problem (please be detailed as possible and provide log
snippests):
In ocs-operator logs I see:
2023-03-31T09:39:47.418626879Z panic: assignment to entry in nil map
2023-03-31T09:39:47.418626879Z 

Version of all relevant components (if applicable):
quay.io/rhceph-dev/ocs-registry:4.9.15-1
OCP 4.9 nightly

Does this issue impact your ability to continue to work with the product
(please explain in detail what is the user impact)?
Yes, blocking deployment with external cluster on ODF 4.9

Is there any workaround available to the best of your knowledge?
Nope


Rate from 1 - 5 the complexity of the scenario you performed that caused this
bug (1 - very simple, 5 - very complex)?
1

Can this issue reproducible?
Yes

Can this issue reproduce from the UI?
Haven't tried

If this is a regression, please provide more details to justify this:
Yes

Steps to Reproduce:
1. Install ODF with external mode
2.
3.


Actual results:
Failed deployment - 
ocs-operator-796dff676f-5mp87                     0/1     CrashLoopBackOff   13 (4m22s ago)   51m

Expected results:
Have successful deployment

Additional info:
Logs in private comment

--- Additional comment from Petr Balogh on 2023-03-31 11:46:47 UTC ---

OCS-operator log:
http://magna002.ceph.redhat.com/ocsci-jenkins/openshift-clusters/j-229vu1ce33-t1/j-229vu1ce33-t1_20230331T085049/logs/failed_testcase_ocs_logs_1680254576/test_deployment_ocs_logs/ocs_must_gather/quay-io-rhceph-dev-ocs-must-gather-sha256-82081d40487b4fc9325ac6f687edabba5dbb109b2d7028fd8a34c134d92ecb7c/namespaces/openshift-storage/pods/ocs-operator-796dff676f-5mp87/ocs-operator/ocs-operator/logs/previous.log

Must gather log:
http://magna002.ceph.redhat.com/ocsci-jenkins/openshift-clusters/j-229vu1ce33-t1/j-229vu1ce33-t1_20230331T085049/logs/failed_testcase_ocs_logs_1680254576/test_deployment_ocs_logs/

Jenkins job:
https://ocs4-jenkins-csb-odf-qe.apps.ocp-c1.prod.psi.redhat.com/job/qe-trigger-vsphere-upi-1az-rhcos-external-3m-3w-tier1/229/

--- Additional comment from RHEL Program Management on 2023-03-31 11:46:57 UTC ---

This bug having no release flag set previously, is now set with release flag 'odf‑4.13.0' to '?', and so is being proposed to be fixed at the ODF 4.13.0 release. Note that the 3 Acks (pm_ack, devel_ack, qa_ack), if any previously set while release flag was missing, have now been reset since the Acks are to be set against a release flag.

--- Additional comment from RHEL Program Management on 2023-03-31 11:46:57 UTC ---

This bug report has Keywords: Regression or TestBlocker.
Since no regressions or test blockers are allowed between releases, it is also being proposed as a blocker for this release. Please resolve ASAP.