diff --git a/bin/compose-core b/bin/compose-core
index 9b2d64b..a29149d 100755
--- a/bin/compose-core
+++ b/bin/compose-core
@@ -4072,6 +4072,8 @@ if [ "$is_docker_compose_action" -a "${#services_args[@]}" -gt 0 ]; then
     else
         action_posargs+=("${services[@]}")
     fi
+    ## Get rid of subordinates
+    action_posargs=($(get_master_services "${action_posargs[@]}")) || exit 1
 fi