diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/common/config.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/common/config.py
index d5c13bacb02..5bb12671497 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/common/config.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/common/config.py
@@ -41,6 +41,12 @@ DEFAULT_IGNORE_LINES_RE = set([
 ])
 
 
+try:
+    Pattern = re._pattern_type
+except AttributeError:
+    Pattern = re.Pattern
+
+
 class ConfigLine(object):
 
     def __init__(self, raw):
@@ -162,7 +168,7 @@ class NetworkConfig(object):
 
         if ignore_lines:
             for item in ignore_lines:
-                if not isinstance(item, re._pattern_type):
+                if not isinstance(item, Pattern):
                     item = re.compile(item)
                 DEFAULT_IGNORE_LINES_RE.add(item)