diff --git a/plugins/modules/ec2_eni.py b/plugins/modules/ec2_eni.py
index 87f3ae90aa0..c2364a2a268 100644
--- a/plugins/modules/ec2_eni.py
+++ b/plugins/modules/ec2_eni.py
@@ -445,10 +445,11 @@ def create_eni(connection, vpc_id, module):
             args["TagSpecifications"] = boto3_tag_specifications(tags, types='network-interface')
 
         # check if provided private_ip_address is within the subnet's address range
-        cidr_block = connection.describe_subnets(SubnetIds=[str(subnet_id)])['Subnets'][0]['CidrBlock']
-        valid_private_ip = ip_address(private_ip_address) in ip_network(cidr_block)
-        if not valid_private_ip:
-            module.fail_json(changed=False, msg="Error: cannot create ENI - Address does not fall within the subnet's address range.")
+        if private_ip_address:
+            cidr_block = connection.describe_subnets(SubnetIds=[str(subnet_id)])['Subnets'][0]['CidrBlock']
+            valid_private_ip = ip_address(private_ip_address) in ip_network(cidr_block)
+            if not valid_private_ip:
+                module.fail_json(changed=False, msg="Error: cannot create ENI - Address does not fall within the subnet's address range.")
         if module.check_mode:
             module.exit_json(changed=True, msg="Would have created ENI if not in check mode.")
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/targets/ec2_eni/tasks/main.yaml b/tests/integration/targets/ec2_eni/tasks/main.yaml
index c615365200e..7c2b5308f4c 100644
--- a/tests/integration/targets/ec2_eni/tasks/main.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/targets/ec2_eni/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@
         loop:
           - "{{ eni_id_1 | default(omit) }}"
           - "{{ eni_id_2 | default(omit) }}"
+          - "{{ eni_id_3 | default(omit) }}"
 
       - name: terminate the instances
         ec2_instance:
diff --git a/tests/integration/targets/ec2_eni/tasks/test_eni_basic_creation.yaml b/tests/integration/targets/ec2_eni/tasks/test_eni_basic_creation.yaml
index 42735a9a831..774b97dcf9c 100644
--- a/tests/integration/targets/ec2_eni/tasks/test_eni_basic_creation.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/targets/ec2_eni/tasks/test_eni_basic_creation.yaml
@@ -243,3 +243,21 @@
       - eni_id_2 in ( eni_info.network_interfaces | selectattr('id') | map(attribute='id') | list )
       - ec2_ips[0] in ( eni_info.network_interfaces | map(attribute='private_ip_addresses') | flatten | map(attribute='private_ip_address') | list )
       - ec2_ips[1] in ( eni_info.network_interfaces | map(attribute='private_ip_addresses') | flatten | map(attribute='private_ip_address') | list )
+
+
+# =========================================================
+
+- name: create another network interface without private_ip_address
+  ec2_eni:
+    device_index: 1
+    subnet_id: "{{ vpc_subnet_id }}"
+    state: present
+  register: result_no_private_ip
+
+- assert:
+    that:
+      - result_no_private_ip.changed
+
+- name: save the third network interface ID for cleanup
+  set_fact:
+    eni_id_3: "{{ result_no_private_ip.interface.id }}"