diff --git a/dnet_user_services_perms/tasks/dnet-additional-packages.yml b/dnet_user_services_perms/tasks/dnet-additional-packages.yml
index 3f750df..00fb659 100644
--- a/dnet_user_services_perms/tasks/dnet-additional-packages.yml
+++ b/dnet_user_services_perms/tasks/dnet-additional-packages.yml
@@ -1,13 +1,11 @@
 ---
 - name: Install additional packages, if needed
   apt: pkg={{ item }} state=installed
-  with_items: '{{ dnet_additional_packages }}'
-  when: dnet_additional_packages is defined
+  with_items: '{{ dnet_additional_packages | default ([]) }}'
   tags: ['dnet', 'pkgs']
 
 - name: Install additional python modules, if needed
   pip: name={{ item }} state=present
-  with_items: '{{ dnet_additional_python_modules }}'
-  when: dnet_additional_python_modules is defined
+  with_items: '{{ dnet_additional_python_modules | default ([]) }}'
   tags: ['dnet', 'pkgs']