diff --git a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/template.py b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/template.py
index cd56812f3a8..265eaa73fe3 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/template.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/template.py
@@ -113,5 +113,5 @@ class ActionModule(object):
                 res.after_diff_value = resultant
                 return res
         else:
-            return ReturnData(conn=conn, comm_ok=True, result=dict(changed=False))
+            return self.runner._execute_module(conn, tmp, 'file', module_args, inject=inject)