diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/filter/core.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/filter/core.py
index b572ab4d8a..eab0022888 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/filter/core.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/filter/core.py
@@ -440,8 +440,8 @@ def flatten(mylist, levels=None):
             if levels is None:
                 ret.extend(flatten(element))
             elif levels >= 1:
-                levels = int(levels) - 1
-                ret.extend(flatten(element, levels=levels))
+                # decrement as we go down the stack
+                ret.extend(flatten(element, levels=(int(levels) - 1)))
             else:
                 ret.append(element)
         else: