diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/net_base.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/net_base.py
index be8f8d438e..8f174eb611 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/net_base.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/net_base.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
                 conn.send_command('exit')
 
         if 'fail_on_missing_module' not in self._task.args:
-            self._task.args['fail_on_missing_module'] = False
+            self._task.args['fail_on_missing_module'] = True
 
         result = super(ActionModule, self).run(task_vars=task_vars)