diff --git a/ironic/drivers/modules/deploy_utils.py b/ironic/drivers/modules/deploy_utils.py
index ba7990117c..cb57d34194 100644
--- a/ironic/drivers/modules/deploy_utils.py
+++ b/ironic/drivers/modules/deploy_utils.py
@@ -1105,8 +1105,7 @@ def direct_deploy_should_convert_raw_image(node):
     :returns: Boolean, whether the direct deploy interface should convert
         image to raw.
     """
-    iwdi = node.driver_internal_info.get('is_whole_disk_image')
-    return CONF.force_raw_images and CONF.agent.stream_raw_images and iwdi
+    return CONF.force_raw_images and CONF.agent.stream_raw_images
 
 
 @image_cache.cleanup(priority=50)
diff --git a/ironic/tests/unit/drivers/modules/test_deploy_utils.py b/ironic/tests/unit/drivers/modules/test_deploy_utils.py
index 3cecc5ec1f..e07b3226f5 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/unit/drivers/modules/test_deploy_utils.py
+++ b/ironic/tests/unit/drivers/modules/test_deploy_utils.py
@@ -1796,7 +1796,7 @@ class AgentMethodsTestCase(db_base.DbTestCase):
         internal_info = self.node.driver_internal_info
         internal_info['is_whole_disk_image'] = False
         self.node.driver_internal_info = internal_info
-        self.assertFalse(
+        self.assertTrue(
             utils.direct_deploy_should_convert_raw_image(self.node))
 
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/streaming-partition-images-d58fe619658b066e.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/streaming-partition-images-d58fe619658b066e.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d0994bdd66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/streaming-partition-images-d58fe619658b066e.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    Allows streaming raw partition images to the ramdisk when using the
+    ``direct`` deploy interface. Requires **ironic-python-agent** from
+    the Stein release series.