diff --git a/playbooks/check-reboot-needed.yml b/playbooks/check-reboot-needed.yml
index a7b78c4..0f93773 100644
--- a/playbooks/check-reboot-needed.yml
+++ b/playbooks/check-reboot-needed.yml
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
   hosts: all
   gather_facts: false
   become: true
+  vars:
+    reboot_machines: false  # default, override via --extra-vars
+
   tasks:
     - name: Check for /var/run/reboot-required
       stat:
@@ -11,3 +14,11 @@
     - name: Display reboot status
       debug:
         msg: "{{ inventory_hostname }} {{ 'REQUIRES' if reboot_flag.stat.exists else 'does NOT require' }} a reboot."
+
+    - name: Reboot if required and reboot_machines flag is true
+      reboot:
+        msg: "Rebooting due to /var/run/reboot-required"
+        pre_reboot_delay: 5
+      when:
+        - reboot_flag.stat.exists
+        - reboot_machines | bool