diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/s3.py b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/s3.py
index e14a1ba701c..996421503c9 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/s3.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/amazon/s3.py
@@ -426,8 +426,8 @@ def main():
             module.exit_json(msg="Local and remote object are identical, ignoring. Use overwrite parameter to force.", changed=False)
 
         # At this point explicitly define the overwrite condition.
-        if sum_matches is True and pathrtn is True and overwrite is True:
-            download_s3file(module, s3, bucket, obj, dest)
+        if sum_matches is True and pathrtn is True and overwrite == 'always':
+            download_s3file(module, s3, bucket, obj, dest, retries)
 
         # If sum does not match but the destination exists, we