diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/ec2.py b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/ec2.py
index b59d4bda669..5fb17255a0e 100755
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/ec2.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/ec2.py
@@ -783,6 +783,7 @@ def create_instances(module, ec2, vpc, override_count=None):
         module.fail_json(msg = str("Use only one type of parameter (group_name) or (group_id)"))
         sys.exit(1)
 
+    vpc_id = None
     if vpc_subnet_id:
         vpc_id = vpc.get_all_subnets(subnet_ids=[vpc_subnet_id])[0].vpc_id
     else: