diff --git a/lib/ansible/cli/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/cli/__init__.py
index e4563e06d3..ae3008b459 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/cli/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/cli/__init__.py
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ class CLI(with_metaclass(ABCMeta, object)):
                     self.options.inventory = [self.options.inventory]
 
                 # Ensure full paths when needed
-                self.options.inventory = [unfrackpath(opt) if ',' not in opt else opt for opt in self.options.inventory]
+                self.options.inventory = [unfrackpath(opt, follow=False) if ',' not in opt else opt for opt in self.options.inventory]
 
             else:
                 self.options.inventory = C.DEFAULT_HOST_LIST