Premiere does not maintain computer file structure when importing directories with only one file.

Say I have the following folder structure on my computer (both Windows and Mac):

project_name

—assets

——group_1

———image_1.png

——group_2

———image_1.png

———clip_2.mp4

———clip_3.mp4

When I drag and drop the "assets" directory into my actual Premiere Pro project, it only partially maintains the folder structure:

premiere_project

—assets

——image_1.png

——group_2

———clip_2.mp4

———clip_3.mp4

Because the "group_1" directory only contains one file, Premiere Pro removes that parent directory. In addition, "image_1.png" is removed from "group_2" directory (presumably because it has the same name and filesize?). Keeping the overall file structure is essential for automation tasks and for consistency between the computer system and Premiere Pro.

I attached a video of me actually importing a folder with some subfolders, so that should help. As you can see in the video, I put an image file, "image_to_force_premiere_to_maintain_structure.png" in every folder as a workaround.

1. Is this intentional?
2. Is there a setting to change this behavior? I can see why this might be good as a setting for people to toggle on or off, but I can't find it as a setting anywhere.