diff --git a/templates/systemd/elasticsearch.j2 b/templates/systemd/elasticsearch.j2
index 714646f..34d212b 100644
--- a/templates/systemd/elasticsearch.j2
+++ b/templates/systemd/elasticsearch.j2
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ WorkingDirectory={{es_home}}
 User={{es_user}}
 Group={{es_group}}
 
+{% if es_version | version_compare('2.0', '>=') %}
 ExecStartPre=/usr/share/elasticsearch/bin/elasticsearch-systemd-pre-exec
+{% endif %}
 
 ExecStart={{es_home}}/bin/elasticsearch \
                                         -Des.pidfile=${PID_DIR}/elasticsearch.pid \