diff --git a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/unarchive.py b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/unarchive.py
index cfcaf454bd1..8ce7a724769 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/unarchive.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/unarchive.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class ActionModule(object):
             stat = module_return.result.get('stat', None)
             if stat and stat.get('exists', False):
                 return ReturnData(
-	            conn=conn,
+                    conn=conn,
                     comm_ok=True,
                     result=dict(
                         skipped=True,
diff --git a/lib/ansible/runner/filter_plugins/core.py b/lib/ansible/runner/filter_plugins/core.py
index 966d3876d85..b82120ec8d9 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/runner/filter_plugins/core.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/runner/filter_plugins/core.py
@@ -15,21 +15,24 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Ansible.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+import sys
 import base64
 import json
 import os.path
-import yaml
 import types
 import pipes
 import glob
 import re
 import collections
 import operator as py_operator
-from ansible import errors
-from ansible.utils import md5s, checksum_s
-from distutils.version import LooseVersion, StrictVersion
 from random import SystemRandom, shuffle
+
+import yaml
 from jinja2.filters import environmentfilter
+from distutils.version import LooseVersion, StrictVersion
+
+from ansible import errors
+from ansible.utils import md5s, checksum_s
 
 
 def to_nice_yaml(*a, **kw):
@@ -42,6 +45,22 @@ def to_json(a, *args, **kw):
 
 def to_nice_json(a, *args, **kw):
     '''Make verbose, human readable JSON'''
+    # python-2.6's json encoder is buggy (can't encode hostvars)
+    if sys.version_info < (2, 7):
+        try:
+            import simplejson
+        except ImportError:
+            pass
+        else:
+            try:
+                major = int(simplejson.__version__.split('.')[0])
+            except:
+                pass
+            else:
+                if major >= 2:
+                    return simplejson.dumps(a, indent=4, sort_keys=True, *args, **kw)
+        # Fallback to the to_json filter
+        return to_json(a, *args, **kw)
     return json.dumps(a, indent=4, sort_keys=True, *args, **kw)
 
 def failed(*a, **kw):