diff --git a/systemvm/patches/debian/config/opt/cloud/bin/configure.py b/systemvm/patches/debian/config/opt/cloud/bin/configure.py
index f6d95304210..a39e10baa29 100755
--- a/systemvm/patches/debian/config/opt/cloud/bin/configure.py
+++ b/systemvm/patches/debian/config/opt/cloud/bin/configure.py
@@ -663,6 +663,12 @@ class CsRemoteAccessVpn(CsDataBag):
             #Enable remote access vpn
             if vpnconfig['create']:
                 logging.debug("Enabling  remote access vpn  on "+ public_ip)
+
+                dev = CsHelper.get_device(public_ip)
+                if dev == "":
+                        logging.error("Request for ipsec to %s not possible because ip is not configured", public_ip)
+                        continue
+
                 CsHelper.start_if_stopped("ipsec")
                 self.configure_l2tpIpsec(public_ip, self.dbag[public_ip])
                 logging.debug("Remote accessvpn  data bag %s",  self.dbag)