diff --git a/awx/main/tasks/system.py b/awx/main/tasks/system.py
index 6fc42d371bc5..32d29c1098a4 100644
--- a/awx/main/tasks/system.py
+++ b/awx/main/tasks/system.py
@@ -839,10 +839,7 @@ def delete_inventory(inventory_id, user_id, retries=5):
             user = None
     with ignore_inventory_computed_fields(), ignore_inventory_group_removal(), impersonate(user):
         try:
-            i = Inventory.objects.get(id=inventory_id)
-            for host in i.hosts.iterator():
-                host.job_events_as_primary_host.update(host=None)
-            i.delete()
+            Inventory.objects.get(id=inventory_id).delete()
             emit_channel_notification('inventories-status_changed', {'group_name': 'inventories', 'inventory_id': inventory_id, 'status': 'deleted'})
             logger.debug('Deleted inventory {} as user {}.'.format(inventory_id, user_id))
         except Inventory.DoesNotExist: