diff --git a/devstack/lib/ironic b/devstack/lib/ironic
index 7788b1e5fa..16432411f4 100644
--- a/devstack/lib/ironic
+++ b/devstack/lib/ironic
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ IRONIC_DEPLOY_FLAVOR=${IRONIC_DEPLOY_FLAVOR:-ubuntu $IRONIC_DEPLOY_ELEMENT}
 IRONIC_BIN_DIR=$(get_python_exec_prefix)
 
 # Ironic connection info.  Note the port must be specified.
-IRONIC_SERVICE_PROTOCOL=http
+IRONIC_SERVICE_PROTOCOL=${IRONIC_SERVICE_PROTOCOL:-$SERVICE_PROTOCOL}
 IRONIC_SERVICE_PORT=${IRONIC_SERVICE_PORT:-6385}
 IRONIC_HOSTPORT=${IRONIC_HOSTPORT:-$SERVICE_HOST:$IRONIC_SERVICE_PORT}