diff --git a/main.tf b/main.tf
index 3dd0869..267ffd9 100644
--- a/main.tf
+++ b/main.tf
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ module "clients" {
   max_size         = "${var.num_clients}"
   desired_capacity = "${var.num_clients}"
 
-  ami_id    = "${var.ami_id}"
+  ami_id    = "${var.ami_id == "" ? data.aws_ami.nomad_consul.image_id : var.ami_id}"
   user_data = "${data.template_file.user_data_client.rendered}"
 
   vpc_id     = "${data.aws_vpc.default.id}"