diff --git a/container-images/container_image_prepare_defaults.yaml b/container-images/container_image_prepare_defaults.yaml
index a6da18a08..13ad72076 100644
--- a/container-images/container_image_prepare_defaults.yaml
+++ b/container-images/container_image_prepare_defaults.yaml
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ parameter_defaults:
       name_suffix: ''
       tag: current-tripleo
 
-      # Substitute neutron images based on driver. Can be <null>, 'ovn' or
+      # Substitute neutron images based on driver. Can be 'other', 'ovn' or
       # 'odl'. This is usually set automatically by detecting if odl or ovn
       # services are deployed.
-      neutron_driver: null
+      neutron_driver: 'ovn'
 
       # Container image name components for Ceph images.
       # Only used if Ceph is deployed.
diff --git a/tripleo_common/image/kolla_builder.py b/tripleo_common/image/kolla_builder.py
index 4468fa3cd..b572b1063 100644
--- a/tripleo_common/image/kolla_builder.py
+++ b/tripleo_common/image/kolla_builder.py
@@ -112,12 +112,16 @@ def set_neutron_driver(pd, mapping_args):
     :param mapping_args: Dict to set neutron_driver value on
     """
     if not pd or 'NeutronMechanismDrivers' not in pd:
+        # we should set default neutron driver
+        mapping_args['neutron_driver'] = 'ovn'
         return
     nmd = pd['NeutronMechanismDrivers']
     if 'opendaylight_v2' in nmd:
         mapping_args['neutron_driver'] = 'odl'
     elif 'ovn' in nmd:
         mapping_args['neutron_driver'] = 'ovn'
+    else:
+        mapping_args['neutron_driver'] = 'other'
 
 
 def container_images_prepare_multi(environment, roles_data, dry_run=False,
diff --git a/tripleo_common/tests/image/test_kolla_builder.py b/tripleo_common/tests/image/test_kolla_builder.py
index 2cae8e5a4..9ead830a5 100644
--- a/tripleo_common/tests/image/test_kolla_builder.py
+++ b/tripleo_common/tests/image/test_kolla_builder.py
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ class TestKollaImageBuilderTemplate(base.TestCase):
                 'name_prefix': 'centos-binary-',
                 'name_suffix': '',
                 'tag': 'current-tripleo',
-                'neutron_driver': None,
+                'neutron_driver': 'ovn',
                 'openshift_namespace': 'docker.io/openshift',
                 'openshift_tag': 'v3.11.0',
                 'openshift_prefix': 'origin',
@@ -1250,18 +1250,18 @@ class TestPrepare(base.TestCase):
     def test_set_neutron_driver(self):
         mapping_args = {}
         kb.set_neutron_driver(None, mapping_args)
-        self.assertNotIn('neutron_driver', mapping_args)
+        self.assertEqual('ovn', mapping_args['neutron_driver'])
 
         mapping_args = {}
         kb.set_neutron_driver({}, mapping_args)
-        self.assertNotIn('neutron_driver', mapping_args)
+        self.assertEqual('ovn', mapping_args['neutron_driver'])
 
         mapping_args = {}
         kb.set_neutron_driver(
             {'NeutronMechanismDrivers': ['sriovnicswitch', 'openvswitch']},
             mapping_args
         )
-        self.assertNotIn('neutron_driver', mapping_args)
+        self.assertEqual('other', mapping_args['neutron_driver'])
 
         mapping_args = {}
         kb.set_neutron_driver(