diff --git a/plugins/modules/elb_target_group.py b/plugins/modules/elb_target_group.py
index f9849264200..721f40738b4 100644
--- a/plugins/modules/elb_target_group.py
+++ b/plugins/modules/elb_target_group.py
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ def create_or_update_target_group(connection, module):
                 # TODO: required and here?
                 if 'Matcher' in params:
                     code_key = 'HttpCode'
-                    if target_group['ProtocolVersion'] == 'GRPC':
+                    if target_group.get('ProtocolVersion') == 'GRPC':
                         code_key = 'GrpcCode'
                     current_matcher_list = target_group['Matcher'][code_key].split(',')
                     requested_matcher_list = params['Matcher'][code_key].split(',')