diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/vmware/vmware_vm_shell.py b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/vmware/vmware_vm_shell.py
index 679ce0c6299..89368a3adde 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/vmware/vmware_vm_shell.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/vmware/vmware_vm_shell.py
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ class VMwareShellManager(PyVmomi):
     def process_exists_in_guest(self, vm, pid, creds):
         res = self.pm.ListProcessesInGuest(vm, creds, pids=[pid])
         if not res:
-            return False
+            return False, ''
         res = res[0]
         if res.exitCode is None:
             return True, ''