diff --git a/roles/1-prep/tasks/detected_redhat.yml b/roles/1-prep/tasks/detected_redhat.yml
index 031a0c030..509339f0b 100644
--- a/roles/1-prep/tasks/detected_redhat.yml
+++ b/roles/1-prep/tasks/detected_redhat.yml
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 - name: Set has ifcfg gw based on on macaddress if found
   set_fact:
     has_ifcfg_gw: "{{ ifcfg_gw_mac.stdout|trim }}"
-  when: ifcfg_gw_mac.changed and ifcfg_gw_mac.stdout != ""
+  when: ifcfg_gw_mac is defined and ifcfg_gw_mac.changed and ifcfg_gw_mac.stdout != ""
 
 # could use something else
 - name: Find wifi gateway config if present - Can Fail