diff --git a/lib/ansible/executor/task_queue_manager.py b/lib/ansible/executor/task_queue_manager.py
index f3d278e639..c1cc517876 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/executor/task_queue_manager.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/executor/task_queue_manager.py
@@ -93,10 +93,8 @@ class TaskQueueManager:
         self._connection_lockfile = tempfile.TemporaryFile()
 
         # Treat "forks" config parameter as max value. Only create number of workers
-        # equal to number of hosts in inventory if less than max value.
-        num_workers = self._options.forks
-        if self._options.forks > len(self._inventory.list_hosts()):
-            num_workers = len(self._inventory.list_hosts())
+        # equal to number of hosts in inventory if less than max value or serial batch.
+        num_workers = min(self._options.forks, self._options.serial, len(self._inventory.list_hosts()))
 
         self._workers = []
         for i in range(num_workers):