diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/common/network.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/common/network.py
index d3abdb78199..55c37cd5728 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/common/network.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/common/network.py
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ def get_resource_connection(module):
 
     capabilities = get_capabilities(module)
     network_api = capabilities.get('network_api')
-    if network_api in ('cliconf', 'nxapi', 'eapi'):
+    if network_api in ('cliconf', 'nxapi', 'eapi', 'exosapi'):
         module._connection = Connection(module._socket_path)
     elif network_api == 'netconf':
         module._connection = NetconfConnection(module._socket_path)