diff --git a/primary.tf b/primary.tf
index b4e05add..04f18036 100644
--- a/primary.tf
+++ b/primary.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 resource "google_compute_instance" "primary" {
-  count        = "3"
+  count        = "${var.install_type == "ipm" ? 3 : var.primary_count}"
   name         = "${var.prefix}-primary-${count.index}"
   machine_type = "${var.primary_machine_type}"
   zone         = "${var.zone}"
diff --git a/variables.tf b/variables.tf
index 0a35f111..18f6350b 100644
--- a/variables.tf
+++ b/variables.tf
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ variable "image_family" {
 
 variable "primary_count" {
   type        = "string"
-  description = "Currently unused. Must have 3 primary nodes."
+  description = "Number of primary nodes to run, must be odd number - 3 or 5 recommended."
   default     = "3"
 }