diff --git a/handlers/main.yml b/handlers/main.yml
index cec97f9..45f8a83 100644
--- a/handlers/main.yml
+++ b/handlers/main.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 
 - name: restart elasticsearch
   service: name={{instance_init_script | basename}} state=restarted enabled=yes
-  when: es_start_service and (not elasticsearch_started.changed or plugin_installed.changed)
\ No newline at end of file
+  when: es_start_service and (not elasticsearch_started.changed or (plugin_installed is defined and plugin_installed.changed))
\ No newline at end of file