diff --git a/builtin/providers/aws/resource_aws_spot_instance_request.go b/builtin/providers/aws/resource_aws_spot_instance_request.go
index a2783eeaa..73563f62f 100644
--- a/builtin/providers/aws/resource_aws_spot_instance_request.go
+++ b/builtin/providers/aws/resource_aws_spot_instance_request.go
@@ -116,7 +116,25 @@ func resourceAwsSpotInstanceRequestCreate(d *schema.ResourceData, meta interface
 
 	// Make the spot instance request
 	log.Printf("[DEBUG] Requesting spot bid opts: %s", spotOpts)
-	resp, err := conn.RequestSpotInstances(spotOpts)
+
+	var resp *ec2.RequestSpotInstancesOutput
+	err = resource.Retry(15*time.Second, func() *resource.RetryError {
+		var err error
+		resp, err = conn.RequestSpotInstances(spotOpts)
+		// IAM instance profiles can take ~10 seconds to propagate in AWS:
+		// http://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/iam-roles-for-amazon-ec2.html#launch-instance-with-role-console
+		if isAWSErr(err, "InvalidParameterValue", "Invalid IAM Instance Profile") {
+			log.Printf("[DEBUG] Invalid IAM Instance Profile referenced, retrying...")
+			return resource.RetryableError(err)
+		}
+		// IAM roles can also take time to propagate in AWS:
+		if isAWSErr(err, "InvalidParameterValue", " has no associated IAM Roles") {
+			log.Printf("[DEBUG] IAM Instance Profile appears to have no IAM roles, retrying...")
+			return resource.RetryableError(err)
+		}
+		return resource.NonRetryableError(err)
+	})
+
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Error requesting spot instances: %s", err)
 	}