diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index d27409fc..41091524 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 debug: False
 
 #python venv executable
-ironic_venv_python_executable: "{{ openstack_venv_python_executable | default('python2') }}"
+ironic_venv_python_executable: "{{ openstack_venv_python_executable | default('python3') }}"
 
 # Set the host which will execute the shade modules
 # for the service setup. The host must already have