diff --git a/docs/getting_started/getting-started.md b/docs/getting_started/getting-started.md
index 77fdf244f..18050dc4b 100644
--- a/docs/getting_started/getting-started.md
+++ b/docs/getting_started/getting-started.md
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ ansible-playbook -i inventory/mycluster/hosts.yml remove-node.yml -b -v \
 --extra-vars "node=nodename,nodename2"
 ```
 
+> Note: The playbook does not currently support the removal of the first control plane or etcd node. These nodes are essential for maintaining cluster operations and must remain intact.
+
 If a node is completely unreachable by ssh, add `--extra-vars reset_nodes=false`
 to skip the node reset step. If one node is unavailable, but others you wish
 to remove are able to connect via SSH, you could set `reset_nodes=false` as a host
diff --git a/playbooks/remove_node.yml b/playbooks/remove_node.yml
index 212bc0f4e..9fa2c550a 100644
--- a/playbooks/remove_node.yml
+++ b/playbooks/remove_node.yml
@@ -1,9 +1,19 @@
 ---
+- name: Validate nodes for removal
+  hosts: localhost
+  tasks:
+    - name: Assert that nodes are specified for removal
+      assert:
+        that:
+          - node is defined
+          - node | length > 0
+        msg: "No nodes specified for removal. The `node` variable must be set explicitly."
+
 - name: Common tasks for every playbooks
   import_playbook: boilerplate.yml
 
 - name: Confirm node removal
-  hosts: "{{ node | default('etcd:k8s_cluster:calico_rr') }}"
+  hosts: "{{ node | default('this_is_unreachable') }}"
   gather_facts: false
   tasks:
     - name: Confirm Execution
@@ -24,7 +34,7 @@
   when: reset_nodes | default(True) | bool
 
 - name: Reset node
-  hosts: "{{ node | default('kube_node') }}"
+  hosts: "{{ node | default('this_is_unreachable') }}"
   gather_facts: false
   environment: "{{ proxy_disable_env }}"
   pre_tasks:
@@ -40,7 +50,7 @@
 
 # Currently cannot remove first control plane node or first etcd node
 - name: Post node removal
-  hosts: "{{ node | default('kube_control_plane[1:]:etcd[1:]') }}"
+  hosts: "{{ node | default('this_is_unreachable') }}"
   gather_facts: false
   environment: "{{ proxy_disable_env }}"
   roles: