diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/netconf/netconf.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/netconf/netconf.py
index 73479c3136..d946ec45b3 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/netconf/netconf.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/netconf/netconf.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def get_config(module, source, filter, lock=False):
     try:
         locked = False
         if lock:
-            conn.lock(target='running')
+            conn.lock(target=source)
             locked = True
         response = conn.get_config(source=source, filter=filter)
 
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def get_config(module, source, filter, lock=False):
 
     finally:
         if locked:
-            conn.unlock(target='running')
+            conn.unlock(target=source)
 
     return response