diff --git a/roles/vault/tasks/shared/sync_file.yml b/roles/vault/tasks/shared/sync_file.yml
index ebc46939d..b56602eb5 100644
--- a/roles/vault/tasks/shared/sync_file.yml
+++ b/roles/vault/tasks/shared/sync_file.yml
@@ -37,8 +37,9 @@
   loop_control:
     loop_var: host_item
   when:
-    - hostvars[host_item]["sync_file_stat"]["stat"]["exists"]|bool
     - host_item in play_hosts
+    - hostvars[host_item]["sync_file_stat"]["stat"] is defined
+    - hostvars[host_item]["sync_file_stat"]["stat"]["exists"]|bool
 
 - name: "sync_file | Combine all possible key file sync sources"
   set_fact: