diff --git a/core/dbt/task/show.py b/core/dbt/task/show.py
index eb52a392757..94677bd85db 100644
--- a/core/dbt/task/show.py
+++ b/core/dbt/task/show.py
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@ def execute(self, compiled_node, manifest):
         limit = None if self.config.args.limit < 0 else self.config.args.limit
 
         model_context = generate_runtime_model_context(compiled_node, self.config, manifest)
-        show_limit_sql = self.adapter.execute_macro(
+        compiled_node.compiled_code = self.adapter.execute_macro(
             macro_name="show",
             manifest=manifest,
             context_override=model_context,
             kwargs={"limit": limit},
         )
-        adapter_response, execute_result = self.adapter.execute(show_limit_sql, fetch=True)
+        adapter_response, execute_result = self.adapter.execute(compiled_node.compiled_code, fetch=True)
 
         end_time = time.time()
 
diff --git a/tests/functional/show/test_show.py b/tests/functional/show/test_show.py
index 1dc59c27cb9..7a0c4a3f99a 100644
--- a/tests/functional/show/test_show.py
+++ b/tests/functional/show/test_show.py
@@ -157,6 +157,9 @@ def test_limit(self, project, args, expected):
         dbt_args = ["show", "--inline", models__second_ephemeral_model, *args]
         results = run_dbt(dbt_args)
         assert len(results.results[0].agate_table) == expected
+        # ensure limit was injected in compiled_code when limit specified in command args
+        if results.args.get('limit') > 0:
+            assert 'limit' in results.results[0].node.compiled_code
 
 
 class TestShowSeed(ShowBase):