diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/digital_ocean/digital_ocean_domain.py b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/digital_ocean/digital_ocean_domain.py
index a24978e090..c9755e9628 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/digital_ocean/digital_ocean_domain.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/digital_ocean/digital_ocean_domain.py
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ def core(module):
 
     elif state == 'absent':
         if not domain:
-            module.fail_json(changed=False, msg="Domain not found")
+            module.exit_json(changed=False, msg="Domain not found")
         else:
             delete_event = do_manager.destroy_domain()
             if not delete_event: