diff --git a/library/yum b/library/yum
index 7d4a0bcf71..75bba17a19 100644
--- a/library/yum
+++ b/library/yum
@@ -412,10 +412,11 @@ def install(module, items, repoq, yum_basecmd, conf_file, en_repos, dis_repos):
             # most common case is the pkg is already installed and done
             # short circuit all the bs - and search for it as a pkg in is_installed
             # if you find it then we're done
-            pkgs = is_installed(module, repoq, spec, conf_file, en_repos=en_repos, dis_repos=dis_repos, is_pkg=True)
-            if pkgs:
-                res['results'].append('%s providing %s is already installed' % (pkgs[0], spec))
-                continue
+            if not set(['*','?']).intersection(set(spec)):
+                pkgs = is_installed(module, repoq, spec, conf_file, en_repos=en_repos, dis_repos=dis_repos, is_pkg=True)
+                if pkgs:
+                    res['results'].append('%s providing %s is already installed' % (pkgs[0], spec))
+                    continue
             
             # look up what pkgs provide this
             pkglist = what_provides(module, repoq, spec, conf_file, en_repos=en_repos, dis_repos=dis_repos)