diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ios.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ios.py
index 1da9fdbc0e..d17a009750 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ios.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ios.py
@@ -72,9 +72,10 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         # make sure we are in the right cli context which should be
         # enable mode and not config module
         rc, out, err = connection.exec_command('prompt()')
-        if str(out).strip().endswith(')#'):
+        while str(out).strip().endswith(')#'):
             display.vvvv('wrong context, sending exit to device', self._play_context.remote_addr)
             connection.exec_command('exit')
+            rc, out, err = connection.exec_command('prompt()')
 
         task_vars['ansible_socket'] = socket_path
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/network_cli.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/network_cli.py
index 3fc730a225..9ac535558d 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/network_cli.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/connection/network_cli.py
@@ -248,6 +248,7 @@ class Connection(Rpc, _Connection):
                     match = regex.search(response)
                     if match:
                         errored_response = response
+                        self._matched_prompt = match.group()
                         break
 
         if not is_error_message:
diff --git a/test/integration/targets/ios_config/tests/cli/defaults.yaml b/test/integration/targets/ios_config/tests/cli/defaults.yaml
index 9ff5d84712..eaea5588dd 100644
--- a/test/integration/targets/ios_config/tests/cli/defaults.yaml
+++ b/test/integration/targets/ios_config/tests/cli/defaults.yaml
@@ -40,4 +40,23 @@
       - "result.changed == false"
       - "result.updates is not defined"
 
+- name: Check device is in proper prompt after error
+  ios_config:
+    lines:
+        - mac-address-table notification mac-move
+    authorize: yes
+  ignore_errors: yes
+
+- name: show interfaces brief to ensure deivce goes to valid prompt
+  ios_command:
+    commands:
+      - show interfaces
+    authorize: yes
+  register: result
+
+- assert:
+    that:
+      - "result.changed == false"
+      - "result.stdout is defined"
+
 - debug: msg="END cli/defaults.yaml"