diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/system/known_hosts.py b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/system/known_hosts.py
index e7d9df59ccf..a355b6db5fe 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/system/known_hosts.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/system/known_hosts.py
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def enforce_state(module, params):
         try:
             inf=open(path,"r")
         except IOError:
-            e = get_exception
+            e = get_exception()
             if e.errno == errno.ENOENT:
                 inf=None
             else: