diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index 4be689b4..4b249725 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ nova_pip_package_state: "latest"
 
 # Set installation method.
 nova_install_method: "source"
+nova_venv_python_executable: "{{ openstack_venv_python_executable | default('python2') }}"
 
 nova_git_repo: https://git.openstack.org/openstack/nova
 nova_git_install_branch: master
diff --git a/tasks/nova_install.yml b/tasks/nova_install.yml
index 7b018808..eeff73fa 100644
--- a/tasks/nova_install.yml
+++ b/tasks/nova_install.yml
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@
   import_role:
     name: "python_venv_build"
   vars:
+    venv_python_executable: "{{ nova_venv_python_executable }}"
     venv_build_constraints: "{{ nova_git_constraints }}"
     venv_build_distro_package_list: "{{ nova_devel_distro_packages }}"
     venv_install_destination_path: "{{ nova_bin | dirname }}"