diff --git a/lib/ansible/inventory/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/inventory/__init__.py
index 97de401a6f2..ea95ba33a7c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/inventory/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/inventory/__init__.py
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ class Inventory(object):
             group.vars = combine_vars(group.vars, self.get_group_variables(group.name))
             self.get_group_vars(group)
 
-        # set host vars from host_vars/ files and vars plugins
-        for host in self.get_hosts():
+        # get host vars from host_vars/ files and vars plugins
+        for host in self.get_hosts(ignore_limits_and_restrictions=True):
             host.vars = combine_vars(host.vars, self.get_host_variables(host.name))
             self.get_host_vars(host)