I think I found my answer here. Looks like I do need to add that functionality to my image.
http://blogs.oracle.com/ec2/entry/using_parameterized_launches_to_customize -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Server Team, which is subscribed to euca2ools in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/726901 Title: euca-run-instances gives stacktrace if user-data-file doesn't exist -- Ubuntu-server-bugs mailing list Ubuntu-server-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-server-bugs