diff --git a/salt/modules/junos.py b/salt/modules/junos.py
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/salt/modules/junos.py
+++ b/salt/modules/junos.py
@@ -296,8 +296,9 @@ def rpc(cmd=None, dest=None, **kwargs):
         return ret
 
     format_ = op.pop("format", "xml")
-    # when called from state, dest becomes part of op via __pub_arg
-    dest = dest or op.pop("dest", None)
+    # dest becomes part of op via __pub_arg if not None
+    # rpc commands objecting to dest as part of op
+    op.pop("dest", dest)
 
     if cmd in ["get-config", "get_config"]:
         filter_reply = None
Add backin the dest changes for rpc due to an updated master branch