diff --git a/roles/base/tasks/watchdog.yml b/roles/base/tasks/watchdog.yml
index 0c74e8d2bb..a610d2f912 100644
--- a/roles/base/tasks/watchdog.yml
+++ b/roles/base/tasks/watchdog.yml
@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@
       - service
       - watchdog
       - base
-  when: watchdog_dev is defined and ansible_virtualization_role == 'guest' and watchdog_dev.stat.exists
+  when: watchdog_dev is defined and ansible_virtualization_role is defined and ansible_virtualization_role == 'guest' and watchdog_dev.stat.exists