diff --git a/roles/base/tasks/watchdog.yml b/roles/base/tasks/watchdog.yml
index 148c856e58..1751f964c7 100644
--- a/roles/base/tasks/watchdog.yml
+++ b/roles/base/tasks/watchdog.yml
@@ -31,4 +31,4 @@
       - service
       - watchdog
       - base
-  when: ansible_virtualization_role == 'guest' and watchdog_dev.stat.exists
+  when: ansible_virtualization_role == 'guest' and watchdog_dev.stat.exists is defined