diff --git a/roles/ethtool/defaults/main.yml b/roles/ethtool/defaults/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57c3114
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/ethtool/defaults/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2023 VEXXHOST, Inc.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+# not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+# a copy of the License at
+#
+#      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+# WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+# License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+# under the License.
+
+# Apply the "ethtool" tuning now (while the system is running)
+ethtool_apply: true
diff --git a/roles/ethtool/tasks/main.yml b/roles/ethtool/tasks/main.yml
index fac1d49..ca258df 100644
--- a/roles/ethtool/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/ethtool/tasks/main.yml
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
     group: root
 
 - name: Run "ethtool" tuning
+  when: ethtool_apply | bool
   ansible.builtin.command:
     /etc/networkd-dispatcher/configuring.d/01-ethtool
   changed_when: false