diff --git a/tasks/configure_iptables_external.yml b/tasks/configure_iptables_external.yml
index f4cd155718eee5033dcdf0b780b6f47c09759314..07d4841fff1bbc46fd92473b6cf1a19991fa92a2 100644
--- a/tasks/configure_iptables_external.yml
+++ b/tasks/configure_iptables_external.yml
@@ -8,5 +8,6 @@
     jump: "{{ item.jump | default('DROP') }}"
     protocol: "{{ item.protocol | default('tcp') }}"
     source: "{{ item.source }}"
+    state: "{{ item.state | default('present') }}"
   loop: "{{ vault_iptables_external }}"
   notify: save iptables rules