diff --git a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/synchronize.py b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/synchronize.py
index 3d3cb8e3009..8a8555a204c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/synchronize.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/synchronize.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ class ActionModule(object):
         if 'vars' in self.inject:
             if '_original_file' in self.inject['vars']:
                 # roles
+                original_path = path
                 path = utils.path_dwim_relative(self.inject['_original_file'], 'files', path, self.runner.basedir)
                 if original_path and original_path[-1] == '/' and path[-1] != '/':
                     # make sure the dwim'd path ends in a trailing "/"