diff --git a/tasks/persistent_cloud.yml b/tasks/persistent_cloud.yml
index dcab55dea3..07452c982e 100644
--- a/tasks/persistent_cloud.yml
+++ b/tasks/persistent_cloud.yml
@@ -20,6 +20,6 @@
 # attach and mount volumes
 - name: attach volumes to the system
   local_action: shell euca-attach-volume -i ${inst_res.instances[0].id} $item
-  only_if: ''''${host_is_up.rc}' != '0' and len("${volumes}") != 0'''
+  only_if: "'${host_is_up.rc}' != '0' and len($item) != 0"
   with_items: $volumes