diff --git a/awx/plugins/inventory/windows_azure.py b/awx/plugins/inventory/windows_azure.py
index 0d04b17392..dede09d179 100755
--- a/awx/plugins/inventory/windows_azure.py
+++ b/awx/plugins/inventory/windows_azure.py
@@ -242,7 +242,8 @@ class AzureInventory(object):
 
         self.host_metadata[hostname] = dict(ansible_ssh_host=dest,
                                             ansible_ssh_port=int(ssh_port),
-                                            instance_status=status)
+                                            instance_status=status,
+                                            private_id=deployment.private_id)
 
         # List of all azure deployments
         self.push(self.inventory, "azure", hostname)
diff --git a/awx/settings/defaults.py b/awx/settings/defaults.py
index 21366bc6e0..ddcbc05167 100644
--- a/awx/settings/defaults.py
+++ b/awx/settings/defaults.py
@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@ AZURE_ENABLED_VALUE = 'ReadyRole'
 AZURE_GROUP_FILTER = r'^.+$'
 AZURE_HOST_FILTER = r'^.+$'
 AZURE_EXCLUDE_EMPTY_GROUPS = True
-AZURE_INSTANCE_ID_VAR = None
+AZURE_INSTANCE_ID_VAR = 'private_id'
 
 
 # ---------------------