diff --git a/plugins/modules/ec2_transit_gateway.py b/plugins/modules/ec2_transit_gateway.py
index c3a1079e5c9..61696bcfadd 100644
--- a/plugins/modules/ec2_transit_gateway.py
+++ b/plugins/modules/ec2_transit_gateway.py
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ def get_matching_tgw(self, tgw_id, description=None, skip_deleted=True):
                 tgws.extend(response["TransitGateways"])
 
         for gateway in response.get("TransitGateways", []):
-            if description == gateway["Description"] and gateway["State"] != "deleted":
+            if description == gateway.get("Description", "") and gateway["State"] != "deleted":
                 tgws.append(gateway)
 
         if len(tgws) > 1: