diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/misc/virt.py b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/misc/virt.py
index 68d48bd80c9..41cb274a446 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/misc/virt.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/misc/virt.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ options:
     description:
       - name of the guest VM being managed. Note that VM must be previously
         defined with xml.
-    required: true
+      - This option is required unless I(command) is C(list_vms).
   state:
     description:
       - Note that there may be some lag for state requests like C(shutdown)