diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/template.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/template.py
index d134f80a8d..d8339e57b9 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/template.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/template.py
@@ -63,8 +63,13 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
         dest   = self._task.args.get('dest', None)
         faf    = self._task.first_available_file
         force  = boolean(self._task.args.get('force', True))
+        state  = self._task.args.get('state', None)
 
-        if (source is None and faf is not None) or dest is None:
+        if state is not None:
+            result['failed'] = True
+            result['msg'] = "'state' cannot be specified on a template"
+            return result
+        elif (source is None and faf is not None) or dest is None:
             result['failed'] = True
             result['msg'] = "src and dest are required"
             return result