diff --git a/roles/container-engine/containerd/templates/containerd.service.j2 b/roles/container-engine/containerd/templates/containerd.service.j2
index 0107dc822..bc0121bfa 100644
--- a/roles/container-engine/containerd/templates/containerd.service.j2
+++ b/roles/container-engine/containerd/templates/containerd.service.j2
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ LimitNOFILE=infinity
 # Only systemd 226 and above support this version.
 TasksMax=infinity
 OOMScoreAdjust=-999
-{% if kube_reserved|bool %}
+{% if kube_reserved is defined and kube_reserved|bool %}
 Slice={{ kube_reserved_cgroups_for_service_slice }}
 {% endif %}