diff --git a/ansible/README.md b/ansible/README.md
index e1b8415c2..25f0f9e38 100644
--- a/ansible/README.md
+++ b/ansible/README.md
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ the docker related settings will work with your target host.
 
 ##### Install grafana service
 Prior to installing grafana, please review install/group_vars/all.yml file and your ansible inventory file
+You will need to define values for the grafana_host and graphite_host IP addresses here.
 ```
 # ansible-playbook -i hosts install/grafana.yml
 ```
diff --git a/ansible/install/group_vars/all.yml b/ansible/install/group_vars/all.yml
index 25515d60b..258cddaa4 100644
--- a/ansible/install/group_vars/all.yml
+++ b/ansible/install/group_vars/all.yml
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ grafana_docker_image: grafana/grafana:2.6.0
 # Graphite Configuration
 ########################################
 # Graphite Server ip address (Collectd -> Graphite server)
-graphite_host: 1.1.1.1
+# you must fill out graphite_host prior to playbook execution
+graphite_host:
 graphite_port: 80
 # Graphite prefix / Cloud name used both with graphite and grafana dashboards
 graphite_prefix: openstack
@@ -79,7 +80,8 @@ graphite_password: calvin
 # Grafana Dashboarding Configuration
 ########################################
 # Grafana Server IP Address/Port (Can be hosted on the Graphite server)
-grafana_host: 1.1.1.1
+# you must fill out grafana_host prior to playbook execution
+grafana_host:
 grafana_port: 3000
 grafana_username: admin
 grafana_password: admin
diff --git a/ansible/install/roles/grafana/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/install/roles/grafana/tasks/main.yml
index c5da54813..cf67ba45e 100644
--- a/ansible/install/roles/grafana/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/install/roles/grafana/tasks/main.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,12 @@
 # Install/run grafana-server for browbeat
 #
 
+# check that grafana_host and graphite_host is entered prior to playbook run
+- name: Check Graphite/Grafana Host IP Address
+  fail:
+    msg="** Edit grafana_host and graphite_host in ../install/group_vars/all.yml before running **"
+  when: ((grafana_host is none) and (graphite_host is none))
+
 - name: Import EPEL GPG Key
   rpm_key: key=https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/RPM-GPG-KEY-EPEL-7
     state=present