diff --git a/lib/ansible/inventory/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/inventory/__init__.py
index a984a99ec1..2b9a5569fe 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/inventory/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/inventory/__init__.py
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ class Inventory(object):
         for p in patterns:
             # avoid resolving a pattern that is a plain host
             if p in self._hosts_cache:
-                hosts.append(self.get_host(p))
+                hosts.add(self.get_host(p))
             else:
                 that = self._match_one_pattern(p)
                 if p.startswith("!"):