diff --git a/tasks/pam.yml b/tasks/pam.yml
index 1918390..456e9cf 100644
--- a/tasks/pam.yml
+++ b/tasks/pam.yml
@@ -22,6 +22,6 @@
         state: updated
         module_arguments: "{{ item.module_arguments | default(omit) }}"
       loop: "{{ pam_settings + pam_settings_extra }}"
-      when: item.state == "before" or item.state == "after"
+      when: item.state | default("args_present") == "before" or item.state | default("args_present") == "after"
   become: True
   become_user: root