diff --git a/tasks/monitors.yml b/tasks/monitors.yml
index 2557dc2..c4d550c 100644
--- a/tasks/monitors.yml
+++ b/tasks/monitors.yml
@@ -35,6 +35,6 @@
   file:
     path: "{{ monit_includes }}/{{ item }}"
     state: absent
-  with_items: "{{ monit_services_present.stdout_lines }}"
+  with_items: "{{ monit_services_present.stdout_lines | default([]) }}"
   when: monit_service_delete_unlisted and item|basename not in ansible_local.monit.monit_configured_services
   notify: restart monit