diff --git a/stack.sh b/stack.sh
index 8ab82348f3..adcaa219cc 100755
--- a/stack.sh
+++ b/stack.sh
@@ -1214,6 +1214,9 @@ if is_service_enabled q-svc; then
 elif is_service_enabled $DATABASE_BACKENDS && is_service_enabled n-net; then
     NM_CONF=${NOVA_CONF}
     if is_service_enabled n-cell; then
+        # Create a small network in the API cell
+        $NOVA_BIN_DIR/nova-manage --config-file $NM_CONF network create "$PRIVATE_NETWORK_NAME" $FIXED_RANGE 1 $FIXED_NETWORK_SIZE $NETWORK_CREATE_ARGS
+        # Everything else should go in the child cell
         NM_CONF=${NOVA_CELLS_CONF}
     fi