diff --git a/playbooks/container-image/pre.yaml b/playbooks/container-image/pre.yaml
index d90cda489..037c4e27f 100644
--- a/playbooks/container-image/pre.yaml
+++ b/playbooks/container-image/pre.yaml
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 - hosts: all
   tasks:
     - name: Ensure docker is installed
-      when: "container_command == 'docker'"
+      when: "container_command | default('podman') == 'docker'"
       include_role:
         name: ensure-docker
     - name: Ensure podman is installed
-      when: "container_command != 'docker'"
+      when: "container_command | default('podman') != 'docker'"
       include_role:
         name: ensure-podman