diff --git a/roles/ceph-mon/tasks/main.yml b/roles/ceph-mon/tasks/main.yml
index 217494eaa..cf3d1f40f 100644
--- a/roles/ceph-mon/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/ceph-mon/tasks/main.yml
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
   when:
     - not mon_containerized_deployment
     - groups[mds_group_name] is defined
+    - "{{ groups[mds_group_name]|length > 0 }}"
 
 - include: secure_cluster.yml
   when: