diff --git a/lib/main/tests/inventory.py b/lib/main/tests/inventory.py
index 54a7d34c06..428a99c8ad 100644
--- a/lib/main/tests/inventory.py
+++ b/lib/main/tests/inventory.py
@@ -216,6 +216,8 @@ class InventoryTest(BaseTest):
         ##################################################
         # GROUPS->inventories POST via subcollection
         
+        root_groups = '/api/v1/inventories/1/root_groups/'
+        
         url = '/api/v1/inventories/1/groups/'
         new_group_a = dict(name='web100')
         new_group_b = dict(name='web101')
@@ -239,7 +241,11 @@ class InventoryTest(BaseTest):
         self.post(url5, data=new_group_d, expect=400, auth=self.get_other_credentials())
         got = self.get(url5, expect=200, auth=self.get_other_credentials())
         self.assertEquals(got['count'], 4)
-          
+        
+        # side check: see if root groups URL is operational.  These are groups without parents.
+        root_groups = self.get(root_groups, expect=200, auth=self.get_super_credentials())
+        self.assertEquals(root_groups['count'], 2)
+
         remove_me = added_by_collection
         remove_me['disassociate'] = 1
         self.post(url5, data=remove_me, expect=204, auth=self.get_other_credentials())
diff --git a/lib/main/urls.py b/lib/main/urls.py
index a4dce23702..93b58a9440 100644
--- a/lib/main/urls.py
+++ b/lib/main/urls.py
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ inventory_urls = patterns('lib.main.views',
     url(r'^(?P<pk>[0-9]+)/$',                           'inventory_detail'),
     url(r'^(?P<pk>[0-9]+)/hosts/$',                     'inventory_hosts_list'),
     url(r'^(?P<pk>[0-9]+)/groups/$',                    'inventory_groups_list'),
+    url(r'^(?P<pk>[0-9]+)/root_groups/$',               'inventory_root_groups_list'),
 )
 
 hosts_urls = patterns('lib.main.views',
diff --git a/lib/main/views.py b/lib/main/views.py
index f24520ffcd..e40576179d 100644
--- a/lib/main/views.py
+++ b/lib/main/views.py
@@ -876,6 +876,25 @@ class InventoryGroupsList(BaseSubList):
         # FIXME: verify that you can can_read permission on the inventory is required
         return base
 
+class InventoryRootGroupsList(BaseSubList):
+
+    model = Group
+    serializer_class = GroupSerializer
+    permission_classes = (CustomRbac,)
+    parent_model = Inventory
+    relationship = 'groups'
+    postable = True
+    inject_primary_key_on_post_as = 'inventory'
+    severable = False
+    filter_fields = ('name',)
+
+    def _get_queryset(self):
+        inventory = Inventory.objects.get(pk=self.kwargs['pk'])
+        base = inventory.groups
+        all_ids = base.values_list('id', flat=True)
+        base.exclude(parents__id__in = all_ids)
+        return base
+
 class GroupsVariableDetail(VariableBaseDetail):
 
     model = VariableData