diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/crypto/openssh_keypair.py b/lib/ansible/modules/crypto/openssh_keypair.py
index cfb3e14e2cf..ad0e2f3eac4 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/crypto/openssh_keypair.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/crypto/openssh_keypair.py
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ def main():
     )
 
     # Check if Path exists
-    base_dir = os.path.dirname(module.params['path'])
+    base_dir = os.path.dirname(module.params['path']) or '.'
     if not os.path.isdir(base_dir):
         module.fail_json(
             name=base_dir,