diff --git a/tasks/main.yml b/tasks/main.yml
index abcb17e..705e792 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/tasks/main.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,21 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+- name: Pull systemd version
+  command: "systemctl --version"
+  changed_when: false
+  register: get_systemd_version
+  tags:
+    # Avoid ANSIBLE0006 lint issue: systemctl used in place of systemd module
+    - skip_ansible_lint
+    - always
+
+- name: Set systemd version
+  set_fact:
+    systemd_version: "{{ get_systemd_version.stdout_lines[0].split()[-1] }}"
+  tags:
+    - always
+
 - name: Create TEMP run dir
   file:
     path: "/var/run/{{ item.service_name | replace(' ', '_') }}"
diff --git a/templates/systemd-service.j2 b/templates/systemd-service.j2
index da2b0f3..a5c70ef 100644
--- a/templates/systemd-service.j2
+++ b/templates/systemd-service.j2
@@ -73,7 +73,13 @@ TasksAccounting={{ systemd_TasksAccounting }}
 PrivateTmp={{ systemd_PrivateTmp }}
 PrivateDevices={{ systemd_PrivateDevices }}
 PrivateNetwork={{ systemd_PrivateNetwork }}
+{# NOTE(cloudnull): Limit the use of PrivateUsers
+   The systemd directive "PrivateUsers" was implemented in systemd version 232.
+   To correct a lot of spam messages in the journal the default directive is
+   limited when to systemd version greater than or equal to 232 #}
+{%     if (systemd_version | int) >= 232 %}
 PrivateUsers={{ systemd_PrivateUsers }}
+{%     endif %}
 {%   endif %}
 {% endif %}