diff --git a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/group_by.py b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/group_by.py
index 8d983c419d..f6a9f0bc09 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/group_by.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/group_by.py
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ class ActionModule(object):
                 inv_group = ansible.inventory.Group(name=group)
                 inventory.add_group(inv_group)
             for host in hosts:
-                del self.runner.inventory._vars_per_host[host]
                 inv_host = inventory.get_host(host)
                 if not inv_host:
                     inv_host = ansible.inventory.Host(name=host)