diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
index c27fa416218..59e808afebe 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/basic.py
@@ -303,6 +303,26 @@ def get_distribution_version():
         distribution_version = None
     return distribution_version
 
+def get_all_subclasses(cls):
+    '''
+    used by modules like Hardware or Network fact classes to retrieve all subclasses of a given class.
+    __subclasses__ return only direct sub classes. This one go down into the class tree.
+    '''
+    # Retrieve direct subclasses
+    subclasses = cls.__subclasses__()
+    to_visit = list(subclasses)
+    # Then visit all subclasses
+    while to_visit:
+        for sc in to_visit:
+            # The current class is now visited, so remove it from list
+            to_visit.remove(sc)
+            # Appending all subclasses to visit and keep a reference of available class
+            for ssc in sc.__subclasses__():
+                subclasses.append(ssc)
+                to_visit.append(ssc)
+    return subclasses
+
+
 def load_platform_subclass(cls, *args, **kwargs):
     '''
     used by modules like User to have different implementations based on detected platform.  See User
@@ -315,11 +335,11 @@ def load_platform_subclass(cls, *args, **kwargs):
 
     # get the most specific superclass for this platform
     if distribution is not None:
-        for sc in cls.__subclasses__():
+        for sc in get_all_subclasses(cls):
             if sc.distribution is not None and sc.distribution == distribution and sc.platform == this_platform:
                 subclass = sc
     if subclass is None:
-        for sc in cls.__subclasses__():
+        for sc in get_all_subclasses(cls):
             if sc.platform == this_platform and sc.distribution is None:
                 subclass = sc
     if subclass is None:
diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/facts.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/facts.py
index 420dbf573d2..8c1c4be7a94 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/facts.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/facts.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import datetime
 import getpass
 import pwd
 import ConfigParser
+from basic import get_all_subclasses
 
 # py2 vs py3; replace with six via ziploader
 try:
@@ -867,7 +868,7 @@ class Hardware(Facts):
 
     def __new__(cls, *arguments, **keyword):
         subclass = cls
-        for sc in Hardware.__subclasses__():
+        for sc in get_all_subclasses(Hardware):
             if sc.platform == platform.system():
                 subclass = sc
         return super(cls, subclass).__new__(subclass, *arguments, **keyword)
@@ -1949,23 +1950,9 @@ class Network(Facts):
 
     def __new__(cls, *arguments, **keyword):
         subclass = cls
-        # Retrieve direct subclasses
-        to_visit = Network.__subclasses__()
-        # Then visit all subclasses
-        while to_visit:
-            for sc in to_visit:
-                # Check if current class is the good one
-                if sc.platform == platform.system():
-                    subclass = sc
-                    to_visit = []
-                    break
-                # The current class is now visited, so remove it from list
-                to_visit.remove(sc)
-                # Appending all subclasses to visit and keep a reference of available class
-                for ssc in sc.__subclasses__():
-                    to_visit.append(ssc)
-
-        # Now, return corresponding subclass
+        for sc in get_all_subclasses(Network):
+            if sc.platform == platform.system():
+                subclass = sc
         return super(cls, subclass).__new__(subclass, *arguments, **keyword)
 
     def populate(self):
@@ -2725,7 +2712,7 @@ class Virtual(Facts):
 
     def __new__(cls, *arguments, **keyword):
         subclass = cls
-        for sc in Virtual.__subclasses__():
+        for sc in get_all_subclasses(Virtual):
             if sc.platform == platform.system():
                 subclass = sc
         return super(cls, subclass).__new__(subclass, *arguments, **keyword)