diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/ec2.py b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/ec2.py
index dee79980d05..6c80648209b 100755
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/ec2.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/ec2.py
@@ -478,6 +478,7 @@ EXAMPLES = '''
 #
 
 - ec2:
+    state: running
     key_name: mykey
     instance_type: c1.medium
     image: ami-40603AD1
@@ -495,6 +496,7 @@ EXAMPLES = '''
 #
 
 - ec2:
+    state: running
     key_name: mykey
     instance_type: c1.medium
     image: ami-40603AD1