diff --git a/linux-kernel-sysctl/tasks/main.yml b/linux-kernel-sysctl/tasks/main.yml
index 5937c7b7..0474e726 100644
--- a/linux-kernel-sysctl/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/linux-kernel-sysctl/tasks/main.yml
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@
       when: not disable_ipv6
 
     - name: Set the custom sysctl values
-      sysctl: name={{ item.name }} value={{ item.value }} sysctl_file={{ item.sysctlfile | default ('/etc/sysctl.d/90-custom-values.conf') }} reload={{ item.sysctl_reload | default('yes') }} state={{ item.sysctlfile_state | default('present') }}
-      with_items: '{{ systemctl_custom_options | default(omit) }}'
+      sysctl: name={{ item.name }} value={{ item.value }} sysctl_file={{ item.sysctlfile | default ('/etc/sysctl.d/90-custom-values.conf') }} reload={{ item.sysctl_reload | default(yes) }} state={{ item.sysctlfile_state | default('present') }}
+      with_items: '{{ systemctl_custom_options | default([]) }}'
+      when: systemctl_custom_options is defined
 
   tags: [ 'sysctl', 'kernel' ]