diff --git a/tools/scripts/ansible/setup-playbook.yml b/tools/scripts/ansible/setup-playbook.yml
index efe404742b5..49648053ca3 100644
--- a/tools/scripts/ansible/setup-playbook.yml
+++ b/tools/scripts/ansible/setup-playbook.yml
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
+# need group openliberty to exist, so do that first
+- import_playbook: openliberty-playbook.yml
 - import_playbook: server-playbook.yml
 - import_playbook: mysql-playbook.yml
 - import_playbook: nginx-playbook.yml
-- import_playbook: openliberty-playbook.yml
 - import_playbook: cldr-apps-playbook.yml
 - import_playbook: packages-playbook.yml
 - import_playbook: certbot-playbook.yml