diff --git a/variables.tf b/variables.tf
index 14c133ed6..1b5fc8e84 100644
--- a/variables.tf
+++ b/variables.tf
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ variable "runner_gitlab" {
     ca_certificate = Trusted CA certificate bundle (PEM format).
     certificate = Certificate of the GitLab instance to connect to (PEM format).
     registration_token = (deprecated, This is replaced by the `registration_token` in `runner_gitlab_registration_config`.) Registration token to use to register the Runner.
-    runner_version = Version of the [GitLab Runner](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-runner/-/releases).
+    runner_version = Version of the [GitLab Runner](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-runner/-/releases). Make sure that it is available for your AMI. See https://packages.gitlab.com/app/runner/gitlab-runner/search?dist=amazon%2F2023&filter=rpms&page=1&q=
     url = URL of the GitLab instance to connect to.
     url_clone = URL of the GitLab instance to clone from. Use only if the agent can’t connect to the GitLab URL.
     access_token_secure_parameter_store_name = (deprecated) The name of the SSM parameter to read the GitLab access token from. It must have the `api` scope and be pre created.
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ variable "runner_gitlab" {
     ca_certificate                                = optional(string, "")
     certificate                                   = optional(string, "")
     registration_token                            = optional(string, "__REPLACED_BY_USER_DATA__") # deprecated, removed in 8.0.0
-    runner_version                                = optional(string, "15.8.2")
+    runner_version                                = optional(string, "16.0.3")
     url                                           = optional(string, "")
     url_clone                                     = optional(string, "")
     access_token_secure_parameter_store_name      = optional(string, "gitlab-runner-access-token") # deprecated, removed in 8.0.0