diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/network/nxos/nxos_vlan.py b/lib/ansible/modules/network/nxos/nxos_vlan.py
index 886598cd5cd..2e13c9a336a 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/network/nxos/nxos_vlan.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/network/nxos/nxos_vlan.py
@@ -595,7 +595,7 @@ def main():
         vlan_id or vlan_range))
     existing_vlans_list = numerical_sort(get_list_of_vlans(module))
     commands = []
-    existing = None
+    existing = {}
 
     if vlan_range:
         if state == 'present':