diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/include-double-handler.yaml b/changelogs/fragments/include-double-handler.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..96b4836a187
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/include-double-handler.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+bugfixes:
+- includes - ensure we do not double register handlers from includes to prevent exception (https://github.com/ansible/ansible/issues/44848)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/play.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/play.py
index 44372074050..9d519a1b953 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/play.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/play.py
@@ -239,6 +239,8 @@ class Play(Base, Taggable, Become):
 
         if len(self.roles) > 0:
             for r in self.roles:
+                if r.from_include:
+                    continue
                 block_list.extend(r.get_handler_blocks(play=self))
 
         return block_list