gistfile1.txt

diff --git a/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py b/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
index c5cb9d518..df2be2bb0 100644
--- a/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
+++ b/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
@@ -661,11 +661,13 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             if group_name in existing_group_names:
                 continue
             mem_group = self.all_group.all_groups[group_name]
+            import_vars = json.dumps(mem_group.variables)
+            group_desc = import_vars.pop('_awx_description', 'imported')
             group = self.inventory.groups.update_or_create(
                 name=group_name,
                 defaults={
-                    'variables':json.dumps(mem_group.variables),
-                    'description':'imported'
+                    'variables': import_vars,
+                    'description': group_desc
                 }
             )[0]
             logger.debug('Group "%s" added', group.name)
@@ -788,8 +790,9 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         # Create any new hosts.
         for mem_host_name in sorted(mem_host_names_to_update):
             mem_host = self.all_group.all_hosts[mem_host_name]
-            host_attrs = dict(variables=json.dumps(mem_host.variables),
-                              description='imported')
+            import_vars = json.dumps(mem_host.variables)
+            host_desc = import_vars.pop('_awx_description', 'imported')
+            host_attrs = dict(variables=import_vars, description=host_desc)
             enabled = self._get_enabled(mem_host.variables)
             if enabled is not None:
                 host_attrs['enabled'] = enabled