diff --git a/templates/al2/variables-default.json b/templates/al2/variables-default.json
index 0e6c96a7c..d89fa441f 100644
--- a/templates/al2/variables-default.json
+++ b/templates/al2/variables-default.json
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     "binary_bucket_region": "us-west-2",
     "cache_container_images": "false",
     "cni_plugin_version": "v1.2.0",
-    "containerd_version": "1.7.*",
+    "containerd_version": "1.7.11-*",
     "creator": "{{env `USER`}}",
     "docker_version": "none",
     "enable_fips": "false",
diff --git a/templates/al2023/variables-default.json b/templates/al2023/variables-default.json
index 581ec0775..5ba27168a 100644
--- a/templates/al2023/variables-default.json
+++ b/templates/al2023/variables-default.json
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     "aws_session_token": "{{env `AWS_SESSION_TOKEN`}}",
     "binary_bucket_name": "amazon-eks",
     "binary_bucket_region": "us-west-2",
-    "containerd_version": "*",
+    "containerd_version": "1.7.11-*",
     "creator": "{{env `USER`}}",
     "enable_fips": "false",
     "encrypted": "false",