diff --git a/handlers/main.yml b/handlers/main.yml
index 857c8ac5..fc763eb0 100644
--- a/handlers/main.yml
+++ b/handlers/main.yml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
   ansible.builtin.command: tailscale status --json
   changed_when: false
   register: tailscale_status
+  when: not ansible_check_mode
 
 - name: Parse status JSON
   listen: Confirm Tailscale is Connected
@@ -11,6 +12,13 @@
     status: "{{ tailscale_status.stdout | from_json }}"
   ansible.builtin.set_fact:
     tailscale_is_online: "{{ status.Self.Online }}"
+  when: not ansible_check_mode
+
+- name: return faked response from JSON status check when in check mode
+  listen: Confirm Tailscale is Connected
+  ansible.builtin.set_fact:
+    tailscale_is_online: true
+  when: ansible_check_mode
 
 - name: Tailscale online status
   listen: Confirm Tailscale is Connected