diff --git a/roles/kubernetes/preinstall/tasks/0090-etchosts.yml b/roles/kubernetes/preinstall/tasks/0090-etchosts.yml
index 491d24a6a..b011fd57b 100644
--- a/roles/kubernetes/preinstall/tasks/0090-etchosts.yml
+++ b/roles/kubernetes/preinstall/tasks/0090-etchosts.yml
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
     state: present
     backup: yes
     unsafe_writes: yes
-  loop: "{{ etc_hosts_localhosts_dict_target|dict2items }}"
+  loop: "{{ etc_hosts_localhosts_dict_target|default({})|dict2items }}"
 
 # gather facts to update ansible_fqdn
 - name: Update facts