diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/httpapi.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/httpapi.py
index af81631f78..7d56ddcf43 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/httpapi.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/httpapi.py
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ options:
     vars:
       - name: ansible_httpapi_use_ssl
   validate_certs:
+    type: boolean
     version_added: '2.7'
     description:
       - Whether to validate SSL certificates