diff --git a/main.tf b/main.tf
index 6c15ff9ff9..82b2fb190d 100644
--- a/main.tf
+++ b/main.tf
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ resource "aws_eks_cluster" "this" {
     content {
       enabled       = try(compute_config.value.enabled, null)
       node_pools    = local.auto_mode_enabled ? try(compute_config.value.node_pools, []) : null
-      node_role_arn = local.auto_mode_enabled ? try(compute_config.value.node_role_arn, aws_iam_role.eks_auto[0].arn, null) : null
+      node_role_arn = local.auto_mode_enabled && length(try(compute_config.value.node_pools, [])) > 0 ? try(compute_config.value.node_role_arn, aws_iam_role.eks_auto[0].arn, null) : null
     }
   }