diff --git a/ansible/roles/nova/templates/nova.conf.j2 b/ansible/roles/nova/templates/nova.conf.j2
index 448d1e092f..920c242964 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/nova/templates/nova.conf.j2
+++ b/ansible/roles/nova/templates/nova.conf.j2
@@ -218,16 +218,20 @@ api_paste_config = /etc/nova/api-paste.ini
 [scheduler]
 max_attempts = 10
 
+# TODO(sdake): rework this hacky workaround after the placement API is
+#              implemented in the Kolla-kubernetes deliverable.
+#              In order to implement the placement API, the kolla-kubernetes
+#              deliverable needs the Kolla deliverable to release 4.0.0
+#              images to docker hub.  See this blueprint for status:
+# https://blueprints.launchpad.net/kolla-kubernetes/+spec/kolla-kubernetes-placement
+{% if orchestration_engine != 'KUBERNETES' %}
 [placement]
 auth_type = password
-{% if orchestration_engine == 'KUBERNETES' %}
-auth_url = {{ keystone_admin_url }}
-{% else %}
 auth_url = {{ admin_protocol }}://{{ kolla_internal_fqdn }}:{{ keystone_admin_port }}
-{% endif %}
 username = {{ placement_keystone_user }}
 password = {{ placement_keystone_password }}
 user_domain_name = default
 project_name = service
 project_domain_name = default
 os_region_name = {{ openstack_region_name }}
+{% endif %}