diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/monitoring/datadog_monitor.py b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/monitoring/datadog_monitor.py
index 4688a0e594..8fe9ded9be 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/monitoring/datadog_monitor.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/monitoring/datadog_monitor.py
@@ -197,7 +197,9 @@ def main():
         unmute_monitor(module)
 
 def _fix_template_vars(message):
-    return message.replace('[[', '{{').replace(']]', '}}')
+    if message:
+        return message.replace('[[', '{{').replace(']]', '}}')
+    return message
 
 
 def _get_monitor(module):