diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/files/blockinfile.py b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/files/blockinfile.py
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 81834dfd2d..da67e2d4b3
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/files/blockinfile.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/files/blockinfile.py
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ def main():
 
     if lines:
         result = '\n'.join(lines)
-        if original.endswith('\n'):
+        if original and original.endswith('\n'):
             result += '\n'
     else:
         result = ''