diff --git a/tasks/persistent_cloud.yml b/tasks/persistent_cloud.yml
index 07452c982e..2a8080bece 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($item) != 0"
+  only_if: "'${host_is_up.rc}' != '0' and len('$item') != 0"
   with_items: $volumes