diff --git a/ansible/includes/lotus_user.yml b/ansible/includes/lotus_user.yml
index f1ba5417..9e578036 100644
--- a/ansible/includes/lotus_user.yml
+++ b/ansible/includes/lotus_user.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+- name: Ensure lotus group exists
+  group:
+    name: "{{ lotus_user }}"
+    state: present
+    gid: "{{ lotus_user_uid }}"
+    system: yes
+
 - name: Ensure lotus user exists
   user:
     name: "{{ lotus_user }}"