diff --git a/modules/custom_role_iam/README.md b/modules/custom_role_iam/README.md
index 63052fe7..64e49c9b 100644
--- a/modules/custom_role_iam/README.md
+++ b/modules/custom_role_iam/README.md
@@ -45,11 +45,11 @@ module "custom-roles" {
 
 | Name | Description | Type | Default | Required |
 |------|-------------|------|---------|:--------:|
-| base\_roles | List of base predefined roles to use to compose custom role. | `list(string)` | `[]` | no |
+| base\_roles | List of base predefined roles to use to compose custom role. Either base\_roles or permissions must be set with some values | `list(string)` | `[]` | no |
 | description | Description of Custom role. | `string` | `""` | no |
 | excluded\_permissions | List of permissions to exclude from custom role. | `list(string)` | `[]` | no |
-| members | List of members to be added to custom role. | `list(string)` | n/a | yes |
-| permissions | IAM permissions assigned to Custom Role. | `list(string)` | n/a | yes |
+| members | List of members to be added to custom role. | `list(string)` | `[]` | no |
+| permissions | IAM permissions assigned to Custom Role. Either base\_roles or permissions must be set with some values | `list(string)` | `[]` | no |
 | role\_id | ID of the Custom Role. | `string` | n/a | yes |
 | stage | The current launch stage of the role. Defaults to GA. | `string` | `"GA"` | no |
 | target\_id | Variable for project or organization ID. | `string` | n/a | yes |
diff --git a/modules/custom_role_iam/variables.tf b/modules/custom_role_iam/variables.tf
index 1881730d..ef2bb486 100644
--- a/modules/custom_role_iam/variables.tf
+++ b/modules/custom_role_iam/variables.tf
@@ -27,13 +27,14 @@ variable "title" {
 
 variable "base_roles" {
   type        = list(string)
-  description = "List of base predefined roles to use to compose custom role."
+  description = "List of base predefined roles to use to compose custom role. Either base_roles or permissions must be set with some values"
   default     = []
 }
 
 variable "permissions" {
   type        = list(string)
-  description = "IAM permissions assigned to Custom Role."
+  description = "IAM permissions assigned to Custom Role. Either base_roles or permissions must be set with some values"
+  default     = []
 }
 
 variable "excluded_permissions" {
@@ -68,4 +69,5 @@ variable "target_level" {
 variable "members" {
   description = "List of members to be added to custom role."
   type        = list(string)
+  default     = []
 }