diff --git a/awx_collection/plugins/modules/group.py b/awx_collection/plugins/modules/group.py
index 973fb7744d..c91bf164d9 100644
--- a/awx_collection/plugins/modules/group.py
+++ b/awx_collection/plugins/modules/group.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ def main():
     description = module.params.get('description')
     state = module.params.pop('state')
     preserve_existing_hosts = module.params.get('preserve_existing_hosts')
-    preserve_existing_children = module.params.get('preserve_existing_groups')
+    preserve_existing_children = module.params.get('preserve_existing_children')
     variables = module.params.get('variables')
 
     # Attempt to look up the related items the user specified (these will fail the module if not found)