diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/network_cli.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/network_cli.py
index 3e2e796d976..6611d91be51 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/network_cli.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/network_cli.py
@@ -346,6 +346,7 @@ class Connection(NetworkConnectionBase):
         name += "paramiko [%s]" % self._play_context.remote_addr
         return name
 
+    @ensure_connect
     def get_prompt(self):
         """Returns the current prompt from the device"""
         return self._matched_prompt