diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/asa.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/asa.py
index 14fad92dd4..fb73bbc6a9 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/asa.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/asa.py
@@ -53,7 +53,9 @@ class Cli(CliBase):
     NET_PASSWD_RE = re.compile(r"[\r\n]?password: $", re.I)
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+
         super(Cli, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        self.default_output = 'text'
 
     def connect(self, params, **kwargs):
         super(Cli, self).connect(params, kickstart=False, **kwargs)