diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/included_file.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/included_file.py
index b9f7b3a25d..025e4a4b2e 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/included_file.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/included_file.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import os
 
 from ansible.playbook.task_include import TaskInclude
+from ansible.playbook.role_include import IncludeRole
 from ansible.template import Templar
 
 try:
@@ -101,7 +102,10 @@ class IncludedFile:
                                 if not isinstance(parent_include, TaskInclude):
                                     parent_include = parent_include._parent
                                     continue
-                                parent_include_dir = os.path.dirname(templar.template(parent_include.args.get('_raw_params')))
+                                if isinstance(parent_include, IncludeRole):
+                                    parent_include_dir = os.path.dirname(parent_include._role_path)
+                                else:
+                                    parent_include_dir = os.path.dirname(templar.template(parent_include.args.get('_raw_params')))
                                 if cumulative_path is None:
                                     cumulative_path = parent_include_dir
                                 elif not os.path.isabs(cumulative_path):
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/role_include.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/role_include.py
index a2309b914f..fbcc08c173 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/role_include.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/role_include.py
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ class IncludeRole(TaskInclude):
         self._from_files = {}
         self._parent_role = role
         self._role_name = None
+        self._role_path = None
 
     def get_block_list(self, play=None, variable_manager=None, loader=None):
 
@@ -74,6 +75,9 @@ class IncludeRole(TaskInclude):
         actual_role = Role.load(ri, myplay, parent_role=self._parent_role, from_files=self._from_files)
         actual_role._metadata.allow_duplicates = self.allow_duplicates
 
+        # save this for later use
+        self._role_path = actual_role._role_path
+
         # compile role with parent roles as dependencies to ensure they inherit
         # variables
         if not self._parent_role: