diff --git a/roles/persistent-firewall/tasks/main.yaml b/roles/persistent-firewall/tasks/main.yaml
index 0691334ae..47b8c54ad 100644
--- a/roles/persistent-firewall/tasks/main.yaml
+++ b/roles/persistent-firewall/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@
   # Using shell to try and debug why this task when run sometimes returns -13
   shell: iptables-save
   changed_when: false
-  failed_when: false
+  failed_when: iptables_rules.stdout is not defined
+  retries: 5
+  delay: 1
   register: iptables_rules
   tags:
     - skip_ansible_lint
@@ -13,7 +15,9 @@
   # Using shell to try and debug why this task when run sometimes returns -13
   shell: ip6tables-save
   changed_when: false
-  failed_when: false
+  failed_when: ip6tables_rules.stdout is not defined
+  retries: 5
+  delay: 1
   register: ip6tables_rules
   tags:
     - skip_ansible_lint