diff --git a/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py b/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
index 66227fbcc3..e1a769fdca 100644
--- a/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
+++ b/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ class IniLoader(BaseLoader):
                  tokens = shlex.split(line)
 
                  if input_mode == 'host':
-                     new_host = MemHost(tokens[0], self.inventory_base)
+                     new_host = self.get_host(tokens[0])
                      if len(tokens) > 1:
                          variables = {}
                          for t in tokens[1:]: