diff --git a/lib/ansible/executor/task_executor.py b/lib/ansible/executor/task_executor.py
index 640a54f4d64..bfd698038c5 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/executor/task_executor.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/executor/task_executor.py
@@ -416,14 +416,10 @@ class TaskExecutor:
             include_file = templar.template(include_file)
             return dict(include=include_file, include_variables=include_variables)
 
-        # TODO: not needed?
         # if this task is a IncludeRole, we just return now with a success code so the main thread can expand the task list for the given host
         elif self._task.action == 'include_role':
             include_variables = self._task.args.copy()
-            role = templar.template(self._task._role_name)
-            if not role:
-                return dict(failed=True, msg="No role was specified to include")
-            return dict(include_role=role, include_variables=include_variables)
+            return dict(include_role=self._task, include_variables=include_variables)
 
         # Now we do final validation on the task, which sets all fields to their final values.
         self._task.post_validate(templar=templar)