diff --git a/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py b/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
index cd1d269ef2..816f3651ef 100644
--- a/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
+++ b/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
@@ -169,10 +169,9 @@ class BaseLoader(object):
 
     def get_host(self, name):
         '''
-        Return a MemHost instance from host name, creating if needed.
+        Return a MemHost instance from host name, creating if needed.  If name
+        contains brackets, they will not be interpreted as a host pattern.
         '''
-        if '[' in name or ']' in name:
-            raise ValueError('host ranges like %s are not supported by this importer' % name)
         host_name = name.split(':')[0]
         if self.host_filter_re and not self.host_filter_re.match(host_name):
             logger.debug('Filtering host %s', host_name)
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/commands.py b/awx/main/tests/commands.py
index e9e2dc04d5..c79637371e 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/commands.py
+++ b/awx/main/tests/commands.py
@@ -775,8 +775,13 @@ class InventoryImportTest(BaseCommandMixin, BaseLiveServerTest):
         self.assertTrue(isinstance(result, ValueError), result)
 
     def test_executable_file(self):
-        # New empty inventory.
+        # Use existing inventory as source.
         old_inv = self.inventories[1]
+        # Modify host name to contain brackets (AC-1295).
+        old_host = old_inv.hosts.all()[0]
+        old_host.name = '[hey look some brackets]'
+        old_host.save()
+        # New empty inventory.
         new_inv = self.organizations[0].inventories.create(name='newb')
         self.assertEqual(new_inv.hosts.count(), 0)
         self.assertEqual(new_inv.groups.count(), 0)