diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/cloud/amazon/ec2_ami_copy.py b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/cloud/amazon/ec2_ami_copy.py
index ff9bde8802..174ae709b0 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/cloud/amazon/ec2_ami_copy.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/cloud/amazon/ec2_ami_copy.py
@@ -91,9 +91,6 @@ try:
     HAS_BOTO = True
 except ImportError:
     HAS_BOTO = False
-    
-if not HAS_BOTO:
-    module.fail_json(msg='boto required for this module')
 
 def copy_image(module, ec2):
     """
@@ -183,6 +180,9 @@ def main():
 
     module = AnsibleModule(argument_spec=argument_spec)
 
+    if not HAS_BOTO:
+        module.fail_json(msg='boto required for this module')
+
     try:
         ec2 = ec2_connect(module)
     except boto.exception.NoAuthHandlerFound, e: