diff --git a/bifrost/cli.py b/bifrost/cli.py
index a9502ff64..7cec91330 100644
--- a/bifrost/cli.py
+++ b/bifrost/cli.py
@@ -24,12 +24,9 @@ VENV = "/opt/stack/bifrost"
 ANSIBLE = os.path.join(VENV, 'bin', 'ansible-playbook')
 COMMON_ENV = {
     'VENV': VENV,
-    'USE_VENV': 'true',
-    'ENABLE_VENV': 'true',
 }
 COMMON_PARAMS = [
     '-e', 'ansible_python_interpreter=%s/bin/python3' % VENV,
-    '-e', 'enable_venv=true',
     '-e', 'bifrost_venv_dir=%s' % VENV,
 ]
 BASE = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(sys.argv[0]), '..'))
diff --git a/doc/source/install/index.rst b/doc/source/install/index.rst
index bd289670f..8a6c57474 100644
--- a/doc/source/install/index.rst
+++ b/doc/source/install/index.rst
@@ -259,22 +259,13 @@ packages, Bifrost defaults to installing everything to a virtual environment.
 ``scripts/env-setup.sh`` will automatically create a virtual environment in
 ``/opt/stack/bifrost`` if it does not exist.
 
-If you want to enable system-wide installing, set ``ENABLE_VENV`` to ``false``
-before calling ``env-setup.sh``::
-
-    export ENABLE_VENV=false
-
-.. warning::
-    This is not recommended and not tested. Future versions of Bifrost may
-    remove support of running outside of a virtual environment.
-
 If you want to relocate the virtual environment, export the ``VENV`` variable
 before calling ``env-setup.sh``::
 
     export VENV=/path/to/my/venv
 
 If you're using the ansible playbooks directly (without the helper scripts),
-set the ``enable_venv`` and ``bifrost_venv_dir`` variables accordingly.
+set the ``bifrost_venv_dir`` variables accordingly.
 
 Pre-installation settings
 =========================
diff --git a/playbooks/ci/run.yaml b/playbooks/ci/run.yaml
index ab64b7655..565603093 100644
--- a/playbooks/ci/run.yaml
+++ b/playbooks/ci/run.yaml
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
         UPPER_CONSTRAINTS_FILE: "{{ ansible_user_dir }}/{{ zuul.projects['opendev.org/openstack/requirements'].src_dir }}/upper-constraints.txt"
         WORKSPACE: "{{ ansible_user_dir }}/src/opendev.org"
         USE_DHCP: "{{ use_dhcp | default(false) | bool | lower }}"
-        ENABLE_VENV: "{{ use_venv | default(true) | bool | lower }}"
         ZUUL_BRANCH: "{{ zuul.branch }}"
         BOOT_MODE: "{{ boot_mode | default('') }}"
         TEST_VM_NODE_DRIVER: "{{ test_driver | default('ipmi') }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-configdrives-dynamic/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-configdrives-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
index 4d6b4f56f..fbc538244 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-configdrives-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-configdrives-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
@@ -26,6 +26,5 @@ iso_gen_utility: "mkisofs"
 node_network_info: {}
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-bootable-image/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-bootable-image/defaults/main.yml
index 065f3562e..462606bf4 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-bootable-image/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-bootable-image/defaults/main.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,5 @@ deploy_image: "{{http_boot_folder}}/{{deploy_image_filename}}"
 
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-dib-image/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-dib-image/defaults/main.yml
index d34ea211c..944ad4f73 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-dib-image/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-dib-image/defaults/main.yml
@@ -20,9 +20,8 @@ ipa_git_folder: /opt/stack/ironic-python-agent
 reqs_git_folder: /opt/stack/requirements
 ipa_builder_git_folder: /opt/stack/ironic-python-agent-builder
 # Settings related to installing bifrost in a virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
 bifrost_venv_env:
   VIRTUAL_ENV: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}"
   PATH: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin:{{ ansible_env.PATH }}" # include regular path via lookup env
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-dib-image/tasks/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-dib-image/tasks/main.yml
index 8465bbd78..ae8ce60a3 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-dib-image/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-dib-image/tasks/main.yml
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@
     and ("debian" in dib_os_element or "ubuntu" in dib_os_element)
 - name: "Initiate image build"
   command: disk-image-create {{dib_arglist}}
-  environment: "{{ dib_env_vars_final | combine(bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv|bool else {}) }}"
+  environment: "{{ dib_env_vars_final | combine(bifrost_venv_env) }}"
   when:
     - not build_ramdisk | bool
     - not test_image_present.stat.exists
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@
     - not test_image_initramfs_present.stat.exists
 - name: "Initiate ramdisk build"
   command: ramdisk-image-create {{dib_arglist}}
-  environment: "{{ dib_env_vars_final | combine(bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv|bool else {}) }}"
+  environment: "{{ dib_env_vars_final | combine(bifrost_venv_env) }}"
   when:
     - build_ramdisk | bool
     - not test_image_present.stat.exists
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/defaults/main.yml
index 1ba484b36..356b78015 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/defaults/main.yml
@@ -40,12 +40,11 @@ test_vm_machine: "pc-1.0"
 # NOTE(pas-ha) not really tested with non-local qemu connections
 test_vm_libvirt_uri: "{{ lookup('env', 'LIBVIRT_CONNECT_URI') | default('qemu:///system', true) }}"
 # Settings related to installing bifrost in a virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
 bifrost_venv_env:
   VIRTUAL_ENV: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}"
   PATH: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin:{{ ansible_env.PATH }}" # include regular path via lookup env
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
 
 git_branch: master
 git_root: "/opt/stack"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/tasks/create_vm.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/tasks/create_vm.yml
index 62373b3df..b8d4b3f41 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/tasks/create_vm.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/tasks/create_vm.yml
@@ -98,12 +98,12 @@
 - name: get list of nodes from virtualbmc
   command: vbmc list
   register: vbmc_list
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 # NOTE(NobodyCam): Space at the end of the find clause is required for proper matching.
 - name: delete vm from virtualbmc if it is there
   command: vbmc delete {{ vm_name }}
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: vbmc_list.stdout.find(vm_name) != -1
 
 - set_fact:
@@ -111,11 +111,11 @@
 
 - name: plug vm into vbmc
   command: vbmc add {{ vm_name }} --libvirt-uri {{ test_vm_libvirt_uri }} --port {{ virtual_ipmi_port }}
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: start virtualbmc
   command: vbmc start {{ vm_name }}
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: get XML of the vm
   virt:
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/templates/redfish-emulator.service.j2 b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/templates/redfish-emulator.service.j2
index 0877ff038..7b9aade6c 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/templates/redfish-emulator.service.j2
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/templates/redfish-emulator.service.j2
@@ -1,15 +1,10 @@
-{% if enable_venv | bool %}
-{% set gunicorn = bifrost_venv_dir ~ '/bin/gunicorn' %}
-{% else %}
-{% set gunicorn = '/usr/local/bin/gunicorn' %}
-{% endif %}
 [Unit]
 Description=Sushy Redfish Emulator
 
 [Service]
 Type=simple
 Restart=on-failure
-ExecStart={{ gunicorn }} sushy_tools.emulator.main:app \
+ExecStart={{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin/gunicorn sushy_tools.emulator.main:app \
     --bind {{ redfish_emulator_host }}:{{ redfish_emulator_port }} \
     --env SUSHY_EMULATOR_CONFIG=/etc/redfish-emulator.conf \
     --env FLASK_DEBUG=1 --workers 2 --threads 2 --timeout 90
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/templates/vbmcd.service.j2 b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/templates/vbmcd.service.j2
index 147945c54..ce498c28a 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/templates/vbmcd.service.j2
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-create-vm-nodes/templates/vbmcd.service.j2
@@ -1,12 +1,7 @@
-{% if enable_venv | bool %}
-{% set vbmcd = bifrost_venv_dir ~ '/bin/vbmcd' %}
-{% else %}
-{% set vbmcd = '/usr/local/bin/vbmcd' %}
-{% endif %}
 [Unit]
 Description=Virtual BMC daemon
 
 [Service]
 Type=simple
 Restart=on-failure
-ExecStart={{ vbmcd }} --foreground
+ExecStart={{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin/vbmcd --foreground
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-deploy-nodes-dynamic/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-deploy-nodes-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
index 2af21fc51..1dd160701 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-deploy-nodes-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-deploy-nodes-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
@@ -24,6 +24,5 @@ wait_timeout: 1800
 fact_gather_timeout: "{{ lookup('config', 'DEFAULT_GATHER_TIMEOUT', on_missing='skip') | default(omit, true) }}"
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/README.md b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/README.md
index ca7bad8f4..f05e147b2 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/README.md
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/README.md
@@ -257,12 +257,8 @@ inspector_store_data_in_nginx: Boolean value, default false. If true, this
 
 ### Virtual Environment Install
 
-Bifrost can install ironic into a python virtual environment using the
-following configuration options:
-
-enable_venv: Enables virtual environment support. Boolean value; the default
-             is false. enable_venv is automatically defined as true if VENV
-             is set in the user's environment.
+Bifrost installs ironic and other services into a python virtual environment
+using the following configuration options:
 
 bifrost_venv_dir: The full path of the virtual environment directory. The
                   default value is /opt/stack/bifrost. When VENV is set in
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/defaults/main.yml
index c17abb339..82cf11e26 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/defaults/main.yml
@@ -249,13 +249,12 @@ power_off_after_inspection: "{{ not fast_track|bool }}"
 download_ipxe: false
 
 # Settings related to installing bifrost in a virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
 bifrost_venv_env:
   VIRTUAL_ENV: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}"
   PATH: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin:{{ ansible_env.PATH }}" # include regular path via lookup env
   pydoc: "python -m pydoc"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
 
 # Authentication support
 # By default, bifrost was developed around being a toolkit
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/bootstrap.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/bootstrap.yml
index d05c57d04..006960ede 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/bootstrap.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/bootstrap.yml
@@ -22,11 +22,6 @@
     noauth_mode | bool == true and enable_keystone is defined and
     enable_keystone | bool == true
 
-- name: "If VENV is set in the environment, enable installation into venv"
-  set_fact:
-    enable_venv: true
-  when: lookup('env', 'VENV') | length > 0
-
 - block:
     - name: "Ask systemd to reload configuration"
       systemd:
@@ -191,14 +186,14 @@
 
 - name: "Create ironic DB Schema"
   command: ironic-dbsync --config-file /etc/ironic/ironic.conf create_schema
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: >
       ironic.database.host == 'localhost' and
       test_created_db.changed | bool == true
 
 - name: "Upgrade ironic DB Schema"
   command: ironic-dbsync --config-file /etc/ironic/ironic.conf upgrade
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: >
       ironic.database.host != 'localhost' or
       test_created_db.changed | bool == false
@@ -216,7 +211,7 @@
 - name: "Get ironic-api & ironic-conductor install location"
   shell: echo $(dirname $(which ironic-api))
   register: ironic_install_prefix
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Set permissions for /var/lib/ironic for the ironic user"
   file:
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/inspector_bootstrap.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/inspector_bootstrap.yml
index c44f73125..3668a3363 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/inspector_bootstrap.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/inspector_bootstrap.yml
@@ -117,11 +117,11 @@
 - name: "Upgrade inspector DB Schema"
   command: ironic-inspector-dbsync --config-file /etc/ironic-inspector/inspector.conf upgrade
   become: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 - name: "Inspector - Get ironic-inspector install location"
   shell: echo $(dirname $(which ironic-inspector))
   register: ironic_install_prefix
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 - name: "Inspector - Place service"
   template:
     src: systemd_template.j2
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/ironic_config.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/ironic_config.yml
index fe3fc5303..cace7b3d8 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/ironic_config.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/ironic_config.yml
@@ -37,14 +37,13 @@
     owner=ironic
     group=ironic
     mode=0640
-- name: "Symlinks from venv if using"
+- name: "Symlinks from venv"
   file:
     state: link
     path: "{{ ironic_rootwrap_dir }}/{{ item | basename }}"
     src: "{{ item }}"
     owner: root
     group: root
-  when: enable_venv | bool == true
   loop:
     - "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin/ironic-rootwrap"
     - "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin/ironic-inspector-rootwrap"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/keystone_setup.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/keystone_setup.yml
index 38454a04f..024ab3ff0 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/keystone_setup.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/keystone_setup.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
       project_name: "{{ keystone.bootstrap.project_name | default('admin') }}"
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Create service user for ironic"
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
       user_domain_id: "default"
     update_password: always
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Associate ironic user to admin role"
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Create keystone service record for ironic"
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Check ironic admin endpoint exists"
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
   no_log: true
   register: test_ironic_admin_endpoint
   ignore_errors: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Check ironic public endpoint exists"
   command: |
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
   no_log: true
   register: test_ironic_public_endpoint
   ignore_errors: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Check ironic internal endpoint exists"
   command: |
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
   no_log: true
   register: test_ironic_internal_endpoint
   ignore_errors: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Create ironic admin endpoint"
   command: |
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@
     endpoint create --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
     baremetal admin "{{ ironic.keystone.admin_url | default('http://127.0.0.1:6385/') }}"
   no_log: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: test_ironic_admin_endpoint.rc != 0 or test_ironic_admin_endpoint.stdout == '[]'
 
 - name: "Setting external Ironic public URL"
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
     endpoint create --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
     baremetal public "{{ ironic_public_url | default(ironic.keystone.public_url) | default('http://127.0.0.1:6385/') }}"
   no_log: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: test_ironic_public_endpoint.rc != 0 or test_ironic_public_endpoint.stdout == '[]'
 
 - name: "Setting internal Ironic URL"
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
     endpoint create --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
     baremetal internal "{{ ironic_private_url | default(ironic.keystone.internal_url) | default('http://127.0.0.1:6385/') }}"
   no_log: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: test_ironic_internal_endpoint.rc != 0 or test_ironic_internal_endpoint.stdout == '[]'
 
 - name: "Create baremetal_admin role"
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@
       project_name: "{{ keystone.bootstrap.project_name | default('admin') }}"
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Create baremetal_observer role"
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@
       project_name: "{{ keystone.bootstrap.project_name | default('admin') }}"
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Create baremetal project"
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@
       project_name: "{{ keystone.bootstrap.project_name | default('admin') }}"
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Create bifrost user"
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Associate bifrost user with baremetal_admin"
@@ -275,5 +275,5 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/keystone_setup_inspector.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/keystone_setup_inspector.yml
index 807887316..5ec4e9687 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/keystone_setup_inspector.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/keystone_setup_inspector.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Associate ironic_inspector user to admin role"
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Create keystone service record for ironic-inspector"
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Check ironic-inspector admin endpoint exists"
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
     --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
   no_log: true
   register: test_ironic_inspector_admin_endpoint
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Check ironic-inspector public endpoint exists"
   command: |
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
     --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
   no_log: true
   register: test_ironic_inspector_public_endpoint
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Check ironic-inspector internal endpoint exists"
   command: |
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@
     --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
   no_log: true
   register: test_ironic_inspector_internal_endpoint
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Create ironic-inspector admin endpoint"
   command: |
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@
     endpoint create --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
     baremetal-introspection admin "{{ ironic_inspector.keystone.admin_url | default('http://127.0.0.1:5050/') }}"
   no_log: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: test_ironic_inspector_admin_endpoint.rc != 0 or test_ironic_inspector_admin_endpoint.stdout == '[]'
 
 - name: "Setting external ironic-inspector public URL"
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
     endpoint create --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
     baremetal-introspection public "{{ ironic_inspector_public_url | default(ironic_inspector.keystone.public_url) | default('http://127.0.0.1:5050/') }}"
   no_log: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: test_ironic_inspector_public_endpoint.rc != 0 or test_ironic_inspector_public_endpoint.stdout == '[]'
 
 - name: "Setting internal ironic-inspector URL"
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
     endpoint create --region "{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name | default('RegionOne') }}"
     baremetal-introspection internal "{{ ironic_inspector_private_url | default(ironic_inspector.keystone.internal_url) | default('http://127.0.0.1:5050/') }}"
   no_log: true
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: test_ironic_inspector_internal_endpoint.rc != 0 or test_ironic_inspector_internal_endpoint.stdout == '[]'
 
 - name: "Create inspector_user user"
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
       user_domain_id: "default"
     update_password: always
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
 
 - name: "Associate inspector_user with baremetal_admin"
@@ -213,5 +213,5 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/migrations.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/migrations.yml
index 05f194339..c161374ce 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/migrations.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/migrations.yml
@@ -11,12 +11,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 ---
-- name: "If VENV is set in the environment, enable installation into venv"
-  set_fact:
-    enable_venv: true
-  when: lookup('env', 'VENV') | length > 0
-
 - name: "Perform ironic online data migrations"
   command: ironic-dbsync --config-file /etc/ironic/ironic.conf online_data_migrations
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: ironic.database.host != 'localhost'
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/validate.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/validate.yml
index eb6576e1c..2e9ef0c0d 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/validate.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-ironic-install/tasks/validate.yml
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 
 - name: "Validate API access and at least one conductor"
   command: baremetal conductor list -f value -c Hostname
-  environment: "{{ testing_env | combine(bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {}) }}"
+  environment: "{{ testing_env | combine(bifrost_venv_env) }}"
   register: conductor_list
   failed_when: conductor_list.rc != 0 or conductor_list.stdout | trim == ""
   retries: 6
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
 
 - name: "Validate introspection API access"
   command: baremetal introspection list
-  environment: "{{ testing_env | combine(bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {}) }}"
+  environment: "{{ testing_env | combine(bifrost_venv_env) }}"
   register: introspection_list
   retries: 6
   delay: 5
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-client-config/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-client-config/defaults/main.yml
index 211b37e4e..4b13de8a3 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-client-config/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-client-config/defaults/main.yml
@@ -3,9 +3,8 @@ ironic_api_url: "http://localhost:6385"
 ironic_inspector_api_url: "http://localhost:5050"
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
 
 enable_keystone: false
 noauth_mode:  true
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/defaults/main.yml
index e0bd98760..296d24f8d 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/defaults/main.yml
@@ -41,13 +41,12 @@ file_url_port: 8080
 http_boot_folder: /httpboot
 
 # Settings related to installing bifrost in a virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
 bifrost_venv_env:
   VIRTUAL_ENV: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}"
   PATH: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin:{{ ansible_env.PATH }}" # include regular path via lookup env
   pydoc: "python -m pydoc"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
 
 # Directory (on the controller) to keep the passwords
 password_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'HOME') }}/.config/bifrost"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/tasks/bootstrap.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/tasks/bootstrap.yml
index d3e4f5225..01a5edb93 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/tasks/bootstrap.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/tasks/bootstrap.yml
@@ -13,21 +13,15 @@
 ---
 # NOTE(TheJulia): There is significant commonality between this playbook
 # and the bifrost bootstrap process.
-- name: "If VENV is set in the environment, enable installation into venv"
-  set_fact:
-    enable_venv: true
-    uwsgi_venv: "{{ bifrost_venv_env.get('VIRTUAL_ENV', '') }}"
-  when: lookup('env', 'VENV') | length > 0
-
 - name: "Get uwsgi install location"
   shell: echo $(dirname $(which uwsgi))
   register: uwsgi_install_prefix
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Get keystone-wsgi-admin location"
   shell: echo $(dirname $(which keystone-wsgi-admin))
   register: keystone_install_prefix
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 # NOTE(sean-k-mooney) only the MySQL db is started during bootstrapping.
 # all other services are started in the Start phase.
@@ -110,19 +104,19 @@
 
 - name: "Apply/Update keystone DB Schema"
   command: keystone-manage db_sync
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Setup Fernet key repositories"
   command: >
     keystone-manage fernet_setup
     --keystone-user="{{ nginx_user }}" --keystone-group="{{ nginx_user }}"
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Setup Keystone Credentials"
   command: >
     keystone-manage credential_setup
     --keystone-user="{{ nginx_user }}" --keystone-group="{{ nginx_user }}"
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
 - name: "Setting external Keystone public URL"
   set_fact:
@@ -145,7 +139,7 @@
     --bootstrap-public-url="{{ keystone_public_url | default(keystone.bootstrap.public_url) }}"
     --bootstrap-internal-url="{{ keystone_private_url | default(keystone.bootstrap.internal_url) }}"
     --bootstrap-region-id="{{ keystone.bootstrap.region_name }}"
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   when: >
     test_created_keystone_db.changed | bool == true and
     keystone.bootstrap.enabled | bool == true and
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/tasks/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/tasks/main.yml
index 1b02abb31..b747715db 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/tasks/main.yml
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
       project_domain_id: "default"
       user_domain_id: "default"
     wait: yes
-  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if enable_venv else {} }}"
+  environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
   no_log: true
   ignore_errors: true
   when:
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/templates/keystone-admin.ini.j2 b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/templates/keystone-admin.ini.j2
index b722911fc..65832636d 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/templates/keystone-admin.ini.j2
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/templates/keystone-admin.ini.j2
@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@ threads = 2
 plugin = python3
 no-orphans = true
 chmod-socket = 660
-{% if uwsgi_venv is defined and uwsgi_venv | length > 0 %}
-virtualenv = {{ uwsgi_venv }}
-{% endif %}
+virtualenv = {{ bifrost_venv_dir }}
 
 socket = /run/uwsgi/keystone-admin.socket
 pidfile = /run/uwsgi/keystone-admin.pid
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/templates/keystone-public.ini.j2 b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/templates/keystone-public.ini.j2
index 12ea3b6ac..559aa6676 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/templates/keystone-public.ini.j2
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-keystone-install/templates/keystone-public.ini.j2
@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@ threads = 2
 plugin = python3
 no-orphans = true
 chmod-socket = 660
-{% if uwsgi_venv is defined and uwsgi_venv | length > 0 %}
-virtualenv = {{ uwsgi_venv }}
-{% endif %}
+virtualenv = {{ bifrost_venv_dir }}
 
 socket = /run/uwsgi/keystone-public.socket
 pidfile = /run/uwsgi/keystone-public.pid
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-pip-install/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-pip-install/defaults/main.yml
index 019db9e14..7f1d21a11 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-pip-install/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-pip-install/defaults/main.yml
@@ -4,10 +4,9 @@ bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
 bifrost_venv_env:
   VIRTUAL_ENV: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}"
   PATH: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir }}/bin:{{ ansible_env.PATH }}" # include regular path via lookup env
-enable_venv: true
 skip_install: false
 source_install: false
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
 
 # Pip options
 developer_mode: false
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-pip-install/tasks/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-pip-install/tasks/main.yml
index 5a13bbf84..c353dc0bd 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-pip-install/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-pip-install/tasks/main.yml
@@ -42,20 +42,7 @@
     until: pip_package_install_done is succeeded
     retries: "{{ pip_install_retries }}"
     delay: "{{ pip_install_delay }}"
-    when: source_install | bool == false and enable_venv | bool
-
-  - name: "Install {{ package }} package from pip without virtualenv"
-    pip:
-      name: "{{ package }}"
-      state: "{{ state | default(omit) }}"
-      version: "{{ version | default(omit) }}"
-      extra_args: "{{ constraints_extra_args | default(extra_args) | default(omit) }}"
-      executable: /usr/bin/pip3
-    register: pip_package_install_done
-    until: pip_package_install_done is succeeded
-    retries: "{{ pip_install_retries }}"
-    delay: "{{ pip_install_delay }}"
-    when: source_install | bool == false and enable_venv | bool == false
+    when: not source_install | bool
 
   - name: "Install requirements from {{ sourcedir }} using pip"
     pip:
@@ -66,7 +53,7 @@
     retries: 5
     delay: 10
     when: source_install | bool
-    environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if (enable_venv | bool) else {} }}"
+    environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
   # NOTE(dtantsur): do not use constraints here, it does not work when the
   # package itself is constrained.
@@ -76,6 +63,6 @@
       editable: "{{ developer_mode | bool }}"
       extra_args: "{{ extra_args | default('') }}"
     when: source_install | bool
-    environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env if (enable_venv | bool) else {} }}"
+    environment: "{{ bifrost_venv_env }}"
 
   when: not skip_install | bool
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-prep-for-install/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-prep-for-install/defaults/main.yml
index 97fb3315e..839243344 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-prep-for-install/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-prep-for-install/defaults/main.yml
@@ -116,6 +116,5 @@ bifrost_install_sources:
     name: ironic-python-agent-builder
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-prepare-for-test-dynamic/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-prepare-for-test-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
index 9e35436d7..3b827daad 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-prepare-for-test-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-prepare-for-test-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
@@ -4,6 +4,5 @@ wait_timeout: 900
 multinode_testing: false
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-rabbitmq/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-rabbitmq/defaults/main.yml
index f6e870e54..a5c5dfcb1 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-rabbitmq/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-rabbitmq/defaults/main.yml
@@ -6,6 +6,5 @@ rabbitmq_port: 5672
 rabbitmq_service: rabbitmq-server
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-unprovision-node-dynamic/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-unprovision-node-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
index fccc92815..dab4cb995 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/bifrost-unprovision-node-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/bifrost-unprovision-node-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,5 @@ noauth_mode: true
 wait_for_node_undeploy: false
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/ironic-delete-dynamic/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/ironic-delete-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
index b418c84d6..9f8a89af3 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/ironic-delete-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/ironic-delete-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 ---
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/ironic-enroll-dynamic/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/ironic-enroll-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
index 28dfcf06e..39d68e3cc 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/ironic-enroll-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/ironic-enroll-dynamic/defaults/main.yml
@@ -17,6 +17,5 @@ ipa_ramdisk_url: "{{ ipa_file_protocol }}://{{ hostvars[inventory_hostname]['ans
 fact_gather_timeout: "{{ lookup('config', 'DEFAULT_GATHER_TIMEOUT', on_missing='skip') | default(omit, true) }}"
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/playbooks/roles/ironic-inspect-node/defaults/main.yml b/playbooks/roles/ironic-inspect-node/defaults/main.yml
index 8ef1fadbe..31c164be7 100644
--- a/playbooks/roles/ironic-inspect-node/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/playbooks/roles/ironic-inspect-node/defaults/main.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,5 @@ inventory_dns: false
 fact_gather_timeout: "{{ lookup('config', 'DEFAULT_GATHER_TIMEOUT', on_missing='skip') | default(omit, true) }}"
 
 # Ensure that Ansible is using python interpreter and dependencies inside the bifrost virtual environment
-enable_venv: true
 bifrost_venv_dir: "{{ lookup('env', 'VENV') or '/opt/stack/bifrost' }}"
-ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' if enable_venv | bool else '/usr/bin/python3' }}"
+ansible_python_interpreter: "{{ bifrost_venv_dir + '/bin/python3' }}"
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/venv-forever-ba8b85b04a28a293.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/venv-forever-ba8b85b04a28a293.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ae72c6e24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/venv-forever-ba8b85b04a28a293.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    No longer supports installation outside of a virtual environment. The
+    parameter ``enable_venv`` has been removed.
diff --git a/scripts/env-setup.sh b/scripts/env-setup.sh
index af2f7160c..515dcfc46 100755
--- a/scripts/env-setup.sh
+++ b/scripts/env-setup.sh
@@ -19,24 +19,17 @@ ANSIBLE_SOURCE_PATH=${ANSIBLE_SOURCE_PATH:-ansible${ANSIBLE_PIP_VERSION}}
 BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS=${ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS:-}
 PLAYBOOKS_LIBRARY_PATH=$(dirname $0)/../playbooks/library
 
-
-if [[ -n "${VENV-}" ]]; then
-    ${PIP} install "${ANSIBLE_SOURCE_PATH}"
-    ANSIBLE=${VENV}/bin/ansible
-    ANSIBLE_GALAXY=${VENV}/bin/ansible-galaxy
-    if [[ -z $BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS ]]; then
-        echo  "Setting ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS to virtualenv"
-        export ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS=${VENV}/collections
-        BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS=$ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS
-    fi
-    if [[ -n "$ANSIBLE_COLLECTION_SOURCE_PATH" ]]; then
-        mkdir -p "$BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS/ansible_collections/openstack"
-        ln -s "$ANSIBLE_COLLECTION_SOURCE_PATH" "$BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS/ansible_collections/openstack/cloud"
-    fi
-else
-    ${PIP} install --user --upgrade "${ANSIBLE_SOURCE_PATH}"
-    ANSIBLE=${HOME}/.local/bin/ansible
-    ANSIBLE_GALAXY=${HOME}/.local/bin/ansible-galaxy
+${PIP} install "${ANSIBLE_SOURCE_PATH}"
+ANSIBLE=${VENV}/bin/ansible
+ANSIBLE_GALAXY=${VENV}/bin/ansible-galaxy
+if [[ -z $BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS ]]; then
+    echo  "Setting ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS to virtualenv"
+    export ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS=${VENV}/collections
+    BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS=$ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS
+fi
+if [[ -n "$ANSIBLE_COLLECTION_SOURCE_PATH" ]]; then
+    mkdir -p "$BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS/ansible_collections/openstack"
+    ln -s "$ANSIBLE_COLLECTION_SOURCE_PATH" "$BIFROST_COLLECTIONS_PATHS/ansible_collections/openstack/cloud"
 fi
 
 # NOTE(pas-ha) the following is a temporary workaround for third-party CI
@@ -71,12 +64,6 @@ fi
 
 echo
 echo "To use bifrost, do"
-
-if [[ -n "${VENV-}" ]]; then
-    echo "source ${VENV}/bin/activate"
-else
-    echo "Prepend ~/.local/bin to your PATH if it is not that way already.."
-    echo ".. or use full path to local Ansible at ~/.local/bin/ansible-playbook"
-fi
+echo "source ${VENV}/bin/activate"
 echo "Then run playbooks as normal."
 echo
diff --git a/scripts/install-deps.sh b/scripts/install-deps.sh
index cdfa94a8b..1041c6d88 100755
--- a/scripts/install-deps.sh
+++ b/scripts/install-deps.sh
@@ -6,10 +6,7 @@ declare -A PKG_MAP
 # workaround: for latest bindep to work, it needs to use en_US local
 export LANG=c
 
-ENABLE_VENV=${ENABLE_VENV:-true}
-if [[ "$ENABLE_VENV" != false ]]; then
-    export VENV=${VENV:-/opt/stack/bifrost}
-fi
+export VENV=${VENV:-/opt/stack/bifrost}
 
 CHECK_CMD_PKGS=(
     python3-devel
@@ -89,22 +86,18 @@ if [ "${#EXTRA_PKG_DEPS[@]}" -ne 0 ]; then
     done
 fi
 
-if [ -n "${VENV-}" ]; then
-    echo "NOTICE: Using virtualenv for this installation."
-    if [ ! -f ${VENV}/bin/activate ]; then
-        # only create venv if one doesn't exist
-        sudo -H -E python3 -m venv --system-site-packages ${VENV}
-        sudo -H -E chown -R ${USER} ${VENV}
-    fi
-    # Note(cinerama): activate is not compatible with "set -u";
-    # disable it just for this line.
-    set +u
-    . ${VENV}/bin/activate
-    set -u
-    VIRTUAL_ENV=${VENV}
-else
-    echo "NOTICE: Not using virtualenv for this installation."
+echo "NOTICE: Using virtualenv for this installation."
+if [ ! -f ${VENV}/bin/activate ]; then
+    # only create venv if one doesn't exist
+    sudo -H -E python3 -m venv --system-site-packages ${VENV}
+    sudo -H -E chown -R ${USER} ${VENV}
 fi
+# Note(cinerama): activate is not compatible with "set -u";
+# disable it just for this line.
+set +u
+. ${VENV}/bin/activate
+set -u
+VIRTUAL_ENV=${VENV}
 
 # If we're using a venv, we need to work around sudo not
 # keeping the path even with -E.
@@ -119,26 +112,14 @@ EOF
 
 export PIP_OPTS="--upgrade-strategy only-if-needed"
 
-if [ -n "${VENV-}" ]; then
-  ls -la ${VENV}/bin
-fi
-
 # Install the rest of required packages using bindep
-if [ -n "${VENV-}" ]; then
-    ${PIP} install bindep
-else
-    sudo -H -E ${PIP} install bindep
-fi
+${PIP} install bindep
 
 echo "Using Bindep to install binary dependencies..."
 # bindep returns 1 if packages are missing
 bindep -b &> /dev/null || ${INSTALLER_CMD} $(bindep -b)
 
 echo "Installing Python requirements"
-if [ -n "${VENV-}" ]; then
-    ${PIP} install -r "$(dirname $0)/../requirements.txt"
-else
-    sudo -H -E ${PIP} install -r "$(dirname $0)/../requirements.txt"
-fi
+${PIP} install -r "$(dirname $0)/../requirements.txt"
 
 echo "Completed installation of basic dependencies."
diff --git a/scripts/test-bifrost.sh b/scripts/test-bifrost.sh
index c7dab22ad..3f9fec6d1 100755
--- a/scripts/test-bifrost.sh
+++ b/scripts/test-bifrost.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ BUILD_IMAGE="${BUILD_IMAGE:-false}"
 BAREMETAL_DATA_FILE=${BAREMETAL_DATA_FILE:-'/tmp/baremetal.json'}
 ENABLE_KEYSTONE="${ENABLE_KEYSTONE:-false}"
 ZUUL_BRANCH=${ZUUL_BRANCH:-}
-ENABLE_VENV=true
 CLI_TEST=${CLI_TEST:-false}
 BOOT_MODE=${BOOT_MODE:-}
 
@@ -169,7 +168,6 @@ ${ANSIBLE} -vvvv \
     -e test_vm_num_nodes=${TEST_VM_NUM_NODES} \
     -e inventory_dhcp=${INVENTORY_DHCP} \
     -e inventory_dhcp_static_ip=${INVENTORY_DHCP_STATIC_IP} \
-    -e enable_venv=${ENABLE_VENV} \
     -e enable_inspector=${USE_INSPECTOR} \
     -e inspect_nodes=${INSPECT_NODES} \
     -e download_ipa=${DOWNLOAD_IPA} \
diff --git a/tools/vagrant_dev_env/vagrant.yml b/tools/vagrant_dev_env/vagrant.yml
index e8a19e922..b50057231 100644
--- a/tools/vagrant_dev_env/vagrant.yml
+++ b/tools/vagrant_dev_env/vagrant.yml
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
       become: yes
 
     - name: Install Bifrost
-      command: ${VENV}/bin/ansible-playbook -vvvv -i inventory/target install.yaml -e network_interface={{network_interface}} -e ansible_python_interpreter="/usr/bin/python3" -e download_ipa=true -e use_cirros=true -e enable_venv=true
+      command: ${VENV}/bin/ansible-playbook -vvvv -i inventory/target install.yaml -e network_interface={{network_interface}} -e ansible_python_interpreter="/usr/bin/python3" -e download_ipa=true -e use_cirros=true
       environment:
           PATH: "{{ansible_env.HOME}}/.local/bin:{{ansible_env.PATH}}"
           VENV: "/opt/stack/bifrost"