diff --git a/awx_collection/plugins/lookup/tower_api.py b/awx_collection/plugins/lookup/tower_api.py
index 63e3d30be1..265f4ced07 100644
--- a/awx_collection/plugins/lookup/tower_api.py
+++ b/awx_collection/plugins/lookup/tower_api.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class LookupModule(LookupBase):
             raise AnsibleError("Unclear response from API: {0}".format(response))
 
         if response['status_code'] != 200:
-            raise AnsibleError("Failed to query the API: {0}".format(return_data.get('detail', return_data)))
+            raise AnsibleError("Failed to query the API: {0}".format(response['json'].get('detail', response['json'])))
 
         return_data = response['json']