diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
index 66bb7b05cf7..2e48c7e281c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
@@ -1049,8 +1049,10 @@ class AnsibleModule(object):
 
 
         try:
-            if cwd:
+            # make sure we're in the right working directory
+            if cwd and os.path.isdir(cwd):
                 os.chdir(cwd)
+
             cmd = subprocess.Popen(args, **kwargs)
 
             if data: