diff --git a/modules/packer/packer.go b/modules/packer/packer.go
index dd1f418ce..58439b796 100644
--- a/modules/packer/packer.go
+++ b/modules/packer/packer.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -214,6 +215,12 @@ func packerInit(t testing.TestingT, options *Options) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
+	extension := filepath.Ext(options.Template)
+	if extension != ".hcl" {
+		options.Logger.Logf(t, "Skipping 'packer init' because it is only supported for HCL2 templates")
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	cmd := shell.Command{
 		Command:    "packer",
 		Args:       []string{"init", options.Template},