diff --git a/main.yml b/main.yml
index 44728a6..d5f0471 100644
--- a/main.yml
+++ b/main.yml
@@ -113,6 +113,10 @@
   tasks:
     - name: Bootstrap pipeline
       block:
+        - name: Record that no pre-existing VM was found
+          ansible.builtin.set_fact:
+            _vm_absent_before_bootstrap: true
+
         - name: Create virtual machine
           when: system_cfg.type == "virtual"
           ansible.builtin.include_role:
@@ -157,6 +161,7 @@
       rescue:
         - name: Delete VM on bootstrap failure
           when:
+            - _vm_absent_before_bootstrap | default(false) | bool
             - virtualization_vm_created_in_run | default(false) | bool
             - system_cfg.type == "virtual"
           ansible.builtin.include_role: