diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/synchronize.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/synchronize.py
index 0a74ed2d95d..e21e0084083 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/synchronize.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/synchronize.py
@@ -51,6 +51,10 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
         ''' formats rsync rsh target, escaping ipv6 addresses if needed '''
 
         user_prefix = ''
+
+        if path.startswith('rsync://'):
+            return path
+
         if user:
             user_prefix = '%s@' % (user, )