diff --git a/packaging/pacman b/packaging/pacman
index 5bf2d931e6e..0b23a2f93ce 100644
--- a/packaging/pacman
+++ b/packaging/pacman
@@ -204,6 +204,9 @@ def main():
         if not p['name']:
             module.exit_json(changed=True, msg='updated the package master lists')
 
+    if p['update_cache'] and module.check_mode and not p['name']:
+        module.exit_json(changed=True, msg='Would have updated the package cache')
+
     if p['name']:
         pkgs = p['name'].split(',')