diff --git a/elements/devstack/element-deps b/elements/devstack/element-deps
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..929d3c3b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/elements/devstack/element-deps
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+stackuser
diff --git a/elements/stackuser/README.md b/elements/stackuser/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7f053bd63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/elements/stackuser/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Creates a user 'stack' with password 'stack'.
+
+This user can be customised with an SSH key and proxy details if the
+local-config element is also used.
diff --git a/elements/devstack/install.d/50-user b/elements/stackuser/install.d/50-user
similarity index 100%
rename from elements/devstack/install.d/50-user
rename to elements/stackuser/install.d/50-user