diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/lookup/file.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/lookup/file.py
index 76a12eb86b..b38c2eff55 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/lookup/file.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/lookup/file.py
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ class LookupModule(LookupBase):
 
     def run(self, terms, variables=None, **kwargs):
 
+        if not isinstance(terms, list):
+            terms = [ terms ]
+
         ret = []
         for term in terms:
             basedir_path  = self._loader.path_dwim(term)