diff --git a/collection/plugins/modules/device.py b/collection/plugins/modules/device.py
index 61c1f24..b92170e 100644
--- a/collection/plugins/modules/device.py
+++ b/collection/plugins/modules/device.py
@@ -157,12 +157,14 @@ def remote_config(module, method='GET', config=None, result=None, device=None,
 
     try:
         content = resp.read()
-        return json.loads(content)
-    except (AttributeError, json.decoder.JSONDecodeError):
+    except AttributeError:
         result['content'] = info.pop('body', '')
         module.fail_json(msg='Error occured while reading response', **result)
 
-    return {}  # not reachable but prevents linter complaints
+    try:
+        return json.loads(content)
+    except json.decoder.JSONDecodeError:
+        return {'content': content}
 
 
 def get_device(module, device=None):