diff --git a/cluster/gce/gci/configure.sh b/cluster/gce/gci/configure.sh
index 080ac870547..f6d6c1e8e82 100644
--- a/cluster/gce/gci/configure.sh
+++ b/cluster/gce/gci/configure.sh
@@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ EOF
 
 function ensure-containerd-runtime {
   # Install containerd/runc if requested
-  if [[ -n "${UBUNTU_INSTALL_CONTAINERD_VERSION:-}" || -n "${UBUNTU_INSTALL_RUNC_VERSION:-}" ]]; then
+  if [[ ( -n "${UBUNTU_INSTALL_CONTAINERD_VERSION:-}" || -n "${UBUNTU_INSTALL_RUNC_VERSION:-}" ) && "$(lsb_release -si)" == "Ubuntu" ]]; then
     log-wrap "InstallContainerdUbuntu" install-containerd-ubuntu
   fi
   if [[ -n "${COS_INSTALL_CONTAINERD_VERSION:-}" || -n "${COS_INSTALL_RUNC_VERSION:-}" ]]; then