diff --git a/playbooks/bootstrap-bridge.yaml b/playbooks/bootstrap-bridge.yaml
index d9e4724a82..910a6eb30a 100644
--- a/playbooks/bootstrap-bridge.yaml
+++ b/playbooks/bootstrap-bridge.yaml
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
         name: install-ansible
       vars:
         install_ansible_name: '{{ bridge_ansible_name | default("ansible") }}'
-        install_ansible_version: '{{ bridge_ansible_version | default("7.0.0") }}'
+        install_ansible_version: '{{ bridge_ansible_version | default("<8") }}'
         install_ansible_openstacksdk_name: '{{ bridge_openstacksdk_name | default("openstacksdk") }}'
         install_ansible_openstacksdk_version: '{{ bridge_openstacksdk_verison | default("latest") }}'
         # NOTE(ianw): At 2018-12, ARA is only enabled during gate