diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/packaging/language/easy_install.py b/lib/ansible/modules/packaging/language/easy_install.py
index 40b1026a76a..e84ed37fe1f 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/packaging/language/easy_install.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/packaging/language/easy_install.py
@@ -108,6 +108,8 @@ def _is_package_installed(module, name, easy_install, executable_arguments):
     executable_arguments = executable_arguments + ['--dry-run']
     cmd = '%s %s %s' % (easy_install, ' '.join(executable_arguments), name)
     rc, status_stdout, status_stderr = module.run_command(cmd)
+    if rc:
+        module.fail_json(msg=status_stderr)
     return not ('Reading' in status_stdout or 'Downloading' in status_stdout)