diff --git a/awx/main/access.py b/awx/main/access.py
index fe0c34b812..d73b877389 100644
--- a/awx/main/access.py
+++ b/awx/main/access.py
@@ -605,9 +605,7 @@ class InventoryAccess(BaseAccess):
         # Host filter may only be modified by org admin level
         org_admin_mandatory = False
         new_host_filter = data.get('host_filter', None) if data else None
-        if new_host_filter == '':  # Provision for field 'blank' behavior
-            new_host_filter = None
-        if new_host_filter != obj.host_filter:
+        if new_host_filter and new_host_filter != obj.host_filter:
             org_admin_mandatory = True
         # Verify that the user has access to the new organization if moving an
         # inventory to a new organization.  Otherwise, just check for admin permission.