diff --git a/handlers/main.yml b/handlers/main.yml
index 8976d48a..2a437b48 100644
--- a/handlers/main.yml
+++ b/handlers/main.yml
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@
   service:
     name: "{{ sshd_service }}"
     state: reloaded
-  when: sshd_allow_reload and ansible_virtualization_type != 'docker'
+  when: "sshd_allow_reload and ansible_virtualization_type|default(None) != 'docker'"
   listen: reload_sshd
diff --git a/tasks/main.yml b/tasks/main.yml
index 3c8dc631..30c143dd 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/tasks/main.yml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
     name: "{{ sshd_service }}"
     enabled: true
     state: started
-  when: sshd_manage_service and ansible_virtualization_type != 'docker'
+  when: "sshd_manage_service and ansible_virtualization_type|default(None) != 'docker'"
 
 - name: Register that this role has run
   set_fact: sshd_has_run=true