diff --git a/library/system/sysctl b/library/system/sysctl
index 1b29fed8f1..ab1da5e095 100644
--- a/library/system/sysctl
+++ b/library/system/sysctl
@@ -144,9 +144,13 @@ class SysctlModule(object):
         if self.file_values[thisname] is None and self.args['state'] == "present":
             self.changed = True
             self.write_file = True
+        elif self.file_values[thisname] is None and self.args['state'] == "absent":
+            self.changed = False
         elif self.file_values[thisname] != self.args['value']:
             self.changed = True
             self.write_file = True
+
+        # use the sysctl command or not?
         if self.args['sysctl_set']:            
             if self.proc_value is None:
                 self.changed = True