diff --git a/roles/pdc/frontend/tasks/main.yml b/roles/pdc/frontend/tasks/main.yml
index 10271a3e37..dd89c3e567 100644
--- a/roles/pdc/frontend/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/pdc/frontend/tasks/main.yml
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@
   - dest: /usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pdc/apps/componentbranch/management
     state: directory
   - dest: /usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pdc/apps/componentbranch/management/__init__.py
-    state: file
+    state: touch
   - dest: /usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pdc/apps/componentbranch/management/commands/
     state: directory
   - dest: /usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pdc/apps/componentbranch/management/commands/__init__.py
-    state: file
+    state: touch
   tags:
     - pdc
     - cron