diff --git a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/add_host.py b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/add_host.py
index 98814346b5..2df7d3b818 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/add_host.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/runner/action_plugins/add_host.py
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ class ActionModule(object):
         # add it to the group if that was specified
         if groupnames != '':
             for group_name in groupnames.split(","):
+                group_name = group_name.strip()
                 if not inventory.get_group(group_name):
                     new_group = Group(group_name)
                     inventory.add_group(new_group)