diff --git a/salt/modules/ca.py b/salt/modules/ca.py
index a5318a7f5ba9..0bfb6e8b3d56 100644
--- a/salt/modules/ca.py
+++ b/salt/modules/ca.py
@@ -19,7 +19,13 @@
 import time
 import logging
 import hashlib
-import OpenSSL
+
+has_ssl = False
+try:
+    import OpenSSL
+    has_ssl = True
+except ImportError:
+    pass
 
 # Import Salt libs
 from salt.exceptions import CommandExecutionError
@@ -30,7 +36,9 @@ def __virtual__():
     '''
     Only load this module if the ca config options are set
     '''
-    return 'ca'
+    if has_ssl:
+        return 'ca'
+    return False
 
 
 def _cert_base_path():