diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
index 252be82c28f..45c7ae271f2 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
@@ -188,8 +188,11 @@ def get_distribution_version():
         except:
             # FIXME: MethodMissing, I assume?
             distribution_version = platform.dist()[1]
+        if type(distribution_version) == str:
+            distribution_version = 0
     else:
-        distribution_version = None
+        distribution_version = 0
+
     return distribution_version
 
 def load_platform_subclass(cls, *args, **kwargs):