diff --git a/extras.d/50-ironic.sh b/extras.d/50-ironic.sh
index 3b8e3d5045..0ee6a94758 100644
--- a/extras.d/50-ironic.sh
+++ b/extras.d/50-ironic.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # ironic.sh - Devstack extras script to install ironic
 
+# NOTE(jroll) this is used for the transition to a devstack plugin in
+# the ironic tree.
+IRONIC_USING_PLUGIN=$(trueorfalse False IRONIC_USING_PLUGIN)
+if [[ "$IRONIC_USING_PLUGIN" == "True" ]] ; then
+    return 0
+fi
+
 if is_service_enabled ir-api ir-cond; then
     if [[ "$1" == "source" ]]; then
         # Initial source
diff --git a/lib/ironic b/lib/ironic
index 2fb2004d71..dd4f8bf65f 100644
--- a/lib/ironic
+++ b/lib/ironic
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ _PIPEFAIL_IRONIC=$(set +o | grep pipefail)
 set +o xtrace
 set +o pipefail
 
+# NOTE(jroll) this is used for the transition to a devstack plugin in
+# the ironic tree.
+IRONIC_USING_PLUGIN=$(trueorfalse False IRONIC_USING_PLUGIN)
+if [[ "$IRONIC_USING_PLUGIN" == "True" ]] ; then
+    return 0
+fi
+
 # Defaults
 # --------