diff --git a/nova/flags.py b/nova/flags.py
index 9eaac5596018..d5090edba2c7 100644
--- a/nova/flags.py
+++ b/nova/flags.py
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ DEFINE_bool('fake_network', False,
             'should we use fake network devices and addresses')
 DEFINE_string('rabbit_host', 'localhost', 'rabbit host')
 DEFINE_integer('rabbit_port', 5672, 'rabbit port')
+DEFINE_bool('rabbit_use_ssl', False, 'connect over SSL')
 DEFINE_string('rabbit_userid', 'guest', 'rabbit userid')
 DEFINE_string('rabbit_password', 'guest', 'rabbit password')
 DEFINE_string('rabbit_virtual_host', '/', 'rabbit virtual host')
diff --git a/nova/rpc.py b/nova/rpc.py
index c5277c6a92b7..2e78a31e79f1 100644
--- a/nova/rpc.py
+++ b/nova/rpc.py
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ class Connection(carrot_connection.BrokerConnection):
         if new or not hasattr(cls, '_instance'):
             params = dict(hostname=FLAGS.rabbit_host,
                           port=FLAGS.rabbit_port,
+                          ssl=FLAGS.rabbit_use_ssl,
                           userid=FLAGS.rabbit_userid,
                           password=FLAGS.rabbit_password,
                           virtual_host=FLAGS.rabbit_virtual_host)