diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/files/copy.py b/lib/ansible/modules/files/copy.py
index a8c4c98b598..74f7b28ed64 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/files/copy.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/files/copy.py
@@ -340,8 +340,9 @@ def main():
         res_args['backup_file'] = backup_file
 
     module.params['dest'] = dest
-    file_args = module.load_file_common_arguments(module.params)
-    res_args['changed'] = module.set_fs_attributes_if_different(file_args, res_args['changed'])
+    if not module.check_mode:
+        file_args = module.load_file_common_arguments(module.params)
+        res_args['changed'] = module.set_fs_attributes_if_different(file_args, res_args['changed'])
 
     module.exit_json(**res_args)