diff --git a/.changelog/16944.txt b/.changelog/16944.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ad5a743c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changelog/16944.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+```release-note:bug
+cli: Fix panic on job plan when -diff=false
+```
diff --git a/command/job_plan.go b/command/job_plan.go
index d3d45fbd0..54e70b744 100644
--- a/command/job_plan.go
+++ b/command/job_plan.go
@@ -237,9 +237,9 @@ func (c *JobPlanCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 	}
 
 	// Setup the options
-	opts := &api.PlanOptions{}
-	if diff {
-		opts.Diff = true
+	opts := &api.PlanOptions{
+		// Always request the diff so we can tell if there are changes.
+		Diff: true,
 	}
 	if policyOverride {
 		opts.PolicyOverride = true