diff --git a/ansible/roles/kolla-ansible/defaults/main.yml b/ansible/roles/kolla-ansible/defaults/main.yml
index 82458f77f..3256a3e3a 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/kolla-ansible/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/kolla-ansible/defaults/main.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ kolla_ansible_source_version:
 kolla_ansible_venv: "{{ ansible_facts.env['PWD'] }}/kolla-venv"
 
 # Python interpreter to use to create Kolla Ansible virtualenv.
-kolla_ansible_venv_python: python3
+kolla_ansible_venv_python: /usr/bin/python3
 
 # Extra requirements to install inside the kolla-ansible virtualenv.
 kolla_ansible_venv_extra_requirements: []
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/kolla-ansible-venv-os-python-519be05aa4b07e80.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/kolla-ansible-venv-os-python-519be05aa4b07e80.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b3570b106
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/kolla-ansible-venv-os-python-519be05aa4b07e80.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    Modifies the default value of ``kolla_ansible_venv_python`` to
+    ``/usr/bin/python3``. Using operating system python to create
+    kolla-ansible venv fixes corner cases when using older venvs created with
+    ``virtualenv`` command.