diff --git a/lib/puppet/provider/user/user_role_add.rb b/lib/puppet/provider/user/user_role_add.rb
index f3100e04f54..b57568e16d4 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/provider/user/user_role_add.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/provider/user/user_role_add.rb
@@ -167,10 +167,12 @@ def shadow_entry
   end
 
   def password
-    shadow_entry[1] if shadow_entry
+    return :absent unless shadow_entry
+    shadow_entry[1]
   end
 
   def password_min_age
+    return :absent unless shadow_entry
     shadow_entry[3].empty? ? -1 : shadow_entry[3]
   end