diff --git a/ansible/time.yml b/ansible/time.yml
index 609723fa1..57a7cf150 100644
--- a/ansible/time.yml
+++ b/ansible/time.yml
@@ -8,6 +8,21 @@
         name: yatesr.timezone
       become: True
 
+- name: Ensure ntp group exists
+  hosts: all
+  gather_facts: no
+  tags:
+    - ntp
+  tasks:
+    - name: Ensure ntp group exists
+      fail:
+        msg: >-
+          The 'ntp' group does not exist in the Ansible inventory.
+      run_once: true
+      when:
+        - "'ntp' not in groups"
+        - not kolla_enable_chrony | bool
+
 - name: Ensure Chrony is installed and configured
   hosts: ntp
   tags: