diff --git a/lib/neutron b/lib/neutron
index eb07f402d0..a3f9192869 100644
--- a/lib/neutron
+++ b/lib/neutron
@@ -131,6 +131,8 @@ Q_NOTIFY_NOVA_PORT_STATUS_CHANGES=${Q_NOTIFY_NOVA_PORT_STATUS_CHANGES:-True}
 Q_NOTIFY_NOVA_PORT_DATA_CHANGES=${Q_NOTIFY_NOVA_PORT_DATA_CHANGES:-True}
 VIF_PLUGGING_IS_FATAL=${VIF_PLUGGING_IS_FATAL:-True}
 VIF_PLUGGING_TIMEOUT=${VIF_PLUGGING_TIMEOUT:-300}
+# Specify if the initial private and external networks should be created
+NEUTRON_CREATE_INITIAL_NETWORKS=${NEUTRON_CREATE_INITIAL_NETWORKS:-True}
 
 ## Provider Network Information
 PROVIDER_SUBNET_NAME=${PROVIDER_SUBNET_NAME:-"provider_net"}
diff --git a/stack.sh b/stack.sh
index ec13338948..ed6a4e3936 100755
--- a/stack.sh
+++ b/stack.sh
@@ -1275,7 +1275,7 @@ if is_service_enabled neutron; then
     start_neutron_agents
 fi
 # Once neutron agents are started setup initial network elements
-if is_service_enabled q-svc; then
+if is_service_enabled q-svc && [[ "$NEUTRON_CREATE_INITIAL_NETWORKS" == "True" ]]; then
     echo_summary "Creating initial neutron network elements"
     create_neutron_initial_network
     setup_neutron_debug