diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/block.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/block.py
index be73c5d8acd..0cf9711403f 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/block.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/block.py
@@ -44,12 +44,17 @@ class Block(Base, Become, Conditional, Taggable):
     def __init__(self, play=None, parent_block=None, role=None, task_include=None, use_handlers=False, implicit=False):
         self._play         = play
         self._role         = role
-        self._task_include = task_include
-        self._parent_block = parent_block
+        self._task_include = None
+        self._parent_block = None
         self._use_handlers = use_handlers
         self._implicit     = implicit
         self._dep_chain    = []
 
+        if task_include:
+            self._task_include = task_include
+        elif parent_block:
+            self._parent_block = parent_block
+
         super(Block, self).__init__()
 
     def get_vars(self):