diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/system/authorized_key.py b/lib/ansible/modules/system/authorized_key.py
index f5944a8c391..1626a5127d8 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/system/authorized_key.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/system/authorized_key.py
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ def keyfile(module, user, write=False, path=None, manage_dir=True, follow=False)
     if follow:
         keysfile = os.path.realpath(keysfile)
 
-    if not write:
+    if not write or module.check_mode:
         return keysfile
 
     uid = user_entry.pw_uid