diff --git a/lib/ansible/inventory/script.py b/lib/ansible/inventory/script.py
index 1fa49e50537..042fa8c24a2 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/inventory/script.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/inventory/script.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class InventoryScript:
             if not isinstance(data, dict):
                 data = {'hosts': data}
             # is not those subkeys, then simplified syntax, host with vars
-            elif not any(k in data for k in ('hosts','vars')):
+            elif not any(k in data for k in ('hosts','vars','children')):
                 data = {'hosts': [group_name], 'vars': data}
 
             if 'hosts' in data: