diff --git a/salt/states/saltmod.py b/salt/states/saltmod.py
index 98fc54de81..62800be150 100644
--- a/salt/states/saltmod.py
+++ b/salt/states/saltmod.py
@@ -251,8 +251,12 @@ def state(
         if mdata.get('failed', False):
             m_state = False
         else:
-            m_ret = mdata['ret']
-            m_state = salt.utils.check_state_result(m_ret)
+            try:
+                m_ret = mdata['ret']
+            except KeyError:
+                m_state = False
+            if not m_state:
+                m_state = salt.utils.check_state_result(m_ret)
 
         if not m_state:
             if minion not in fail_minions: