diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/__init__.py
index 24e78053228..9058d3ec65e 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/__init__.py
@@ -346,6 +346,8 @@ class PlayBook(object):
             run_hosts=hosts
         )
 
+        runner.module_vars.update({'play_hosts': hosts})
+
         if task.async_seconds == 0:
             results = runner.run()
         else: