diff --git a/nova/rootwrap/filters.py b/nova/rootwrap/filters.py
index a8fd5139b996..566c03b56274 100755
--- a/nova/rootwrap/filters.py
+++ b/nova/rootwrap/filters.py
@@ -117,6 +117,9 @@ class KillFilter(CommandFilter):
                 return False
         try:
             command = os.readlink("/proc/%d/exe" % int(args[1]))
+            # NOTE(dprince): /proc/PID/exe may have ' (deleted)' on
+            # the end if an executable is updated or deleted
+            command = command.rstrip(" (deleted)")
             if command not in self.args[1]:
                 # Affected executable not in accepted list
                 return False