diff --git a/fast/stages/2-project-factory/outputs.tf b/fast/stages/2-project-factory/outputs.tf
index c34749ff3..37fa8f01f 100644
--- a/fast/stages/2-project-factory/outputs.tf
+++ b/fast/stages/2-project-factory/outputs.tf
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ output "service_accounts" {
 # generate tfvars file for subsequent stages
 
 resource "local_file" "providers" {
-  for_each        = var.outputs_location != null ? { for v in local.project_provider_data : v.key => v } : {}
+  for_each        = var.outputs_location == null ? {} : { for v in local.project_provider_data : v.key => v }
   file_permission = "0644"
   filename        = "${pathexpand(var.outputs_location)}/providers/${var.stage_name}/${each.key}-providers.tf"
   content         = templatefile("templates/providers.tf.tpl", each.value)