diff --git a/lib/ansible/inventory.py b/lib/ansible/inventory.py
index 448ef372b04..429b4c95d9f 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/inventory.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/inventory.py
@@ -105,6 +105,9 @@ class Inventory(object):
                 groups[group_name] = []
             elif item != "":
                 # looks like a regular host
+                if ":" in item:
+                    # a port was specified
+                    item, port = item.split(":")
                 groups[group_name].append(item)
                 if not item in results:
                     results.append(item)
diff --git a/test/simple_hosts b/test/simple_hosts
index 14312af92d8..6a4e297b4fb 100644
--- a/test/simple_hosts
+++ b/test/simple_hosts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ saturn
 
 [greek]
 zeus
-hera
+hera:3000
 poseidon
 
 [norse]