diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/files/unarchive.py b/lib/ansible/modules/files/unarchive.py
index c2a75842bb..922adb45cc 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/files/unarchive.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/files/unarchive.py
@@ -733,7 +733,7 @@ def main():
     file_args = module.load_file_common_arguments(module.params)
     # did tar file arrive?
     if not os.path.exists(src):
-        if not remote_src or copy:
+        if not remote_src and copy:
             module.fail_json(msg="Source '%s' failed to transfer" % src)
         # If copy=false, and src= contains ://, try and download the file to a temp directory.
         elif '://' in src: