diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/638_fix_recursive_acl.yml b/changelogs/fragments/638_fix_recursive_acl.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cf4ed393d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/638_fix_recursive_acl.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+bugfixes:
+  - acl - correctly assert needed changes when pointing to a directory and recursive is set to true.
diff --git a/plugins/modules/acl.py b/plugins/modules/acl.py
index 4cc94e73bb..80380bb7c9 100644
--- a/plugins/modules/acl.py
+++ b/plugins/modules/acl.py
@@ -244,16 +244,16 @@ def acl_changed(module, cmd, entry, use_nfsv4_acls=False):
     lines = run_acl(module, cmd)
     counter = 0
     for line in lines:
-        if line.endswith('*,*') and not use_nfsv4_acls:
-            return False
+        if not use_nfsv4_acls and not line.endswith('*,*'):
+            return True
         # if use_nfsv4_acls and entry is listed
         if use_nfsv4_acls and entry == line:
             counter += 1
 
     # The current 'nfs4_setfacl --test' lists a new entry,
-    #  which will be added at the top of list, followed by the existing entries.
-    # So if the entry has already been registered, the entry should be find twice.
-    if counter == 2:
+    # which will be added at the top of the list, followed by the existing entries.
+    # So if the entry has already been registered, the entry should be found twice.
+    if not use_nfsv4_acls or counter == 2:
         return False
     return True