diff --git a/salt/modules/config.py b/salt/modules/config.py
index 044d7172c7c5..4fc121fb958a 100644
--- a/salt/modules/config.py
+++ b/salt/modules/config.py
@@ -561,4 +561,4 @@ def items():
 
         salt '*' config.items
     """
-    return __opts__
+    return __opts__.value()