diff --git a/nodepool/nodepool.yaml b/nodepool/nodepool.yaml
index 49d295c0ac..d5ed6b4f94 100644
--- a/nodepool/nodepool.yaml
+++ b/nodepool/nodepool.yaml
@@ -235,6 +235,7 @@ diskimages:
       - debian-minimal
       - cache-devstack
     release: bullseye
+    python-path: /usr/bin/python3
     env-vars:
       DIB_DISTRIBUTION_MIRROR: 'https://mirror.dfw.rax.opendev.org/debian'
       DIB_DEBIAN_SECURITY_MIRROR: