diff --git a/lib/ansible/vars/plugins.py b/lib/ansible/vars/plugins.py
index d00a87cdb1c..9f3a11b9636 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/vars/plugins.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/vars/plugins.py
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ def _plugin_should_run(plugin, stage):
 
 def get_vars_from_path(loader, path, entities, stage):
     data = {}
+
+    if not path or path in  ('.',):
+        return data
+
     if vars_loader._paths is None:
         # cache has been reset, reload all()
         _prime_vars_loader()