diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/files/replace.py b/lib/ansible/modules/files/replace.py
index 7d26163c582..97103e3b4ff 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/files/replace.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/files/replace.py
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ def main():
 
     params = module.params
     dest = os.path.expanduser(params['dest'])
+    diff = dict()
 
     if os.path.isdir(dest):
         module.fail_json(rc=256, msg='Destination %s is a directory !' % dest)