diff --git a/src/batou/component.py b/src/batou/component.py
index 0e4548bd..65343f28 100644
--- a/src/batou/component.py
+++ b/src/batou/component.py
@@ -655,9 +655,9 @@ def require_one(
                     key, host
                 )
             )
-        elif len(resources) == 0:
+        elif len(resources) == 0 and strict:
             raise SilentConfigurationError()
-        return resources[0]
+        return resources[0] if resources else None
 
     def assert_cmd(self, *args, **kw):
         """Assert that given command returns successfully, raise