diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index a3e10a3..9c07670 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -21,5 +21,6 @@ redis_appendfsync: everysec
 redis_master_ip: 1.1.1.1
 redis_master_port: 6379
 redis_master_auth: None
+redis_vm_overcommit: true
 
 
diff --git a/tasks/main.yml b/tasks/main.yml
index 5435938..a46c483 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/tasks/main.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 
 - name: Set the kernel paramter for vm overcommit 
   sysctl: name=vm.overcommit_memory value=1 state=present
+  when: redis_vm_overcommit
 
 - name: start the redis service
   service: name={{ redis_service }} state=started enabled=yes