diff --git a/ceilometer/service.py b/ceilometer/service.py
index 630b89f59..25df4bab6 100644
--- a/ceilometer/service.py
+++ b/ceilometer/service.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import os
 import socket
 import sys
 
+import eventlet
 from oslo.config import cfg
 from stevedore import named
 
@@ -107,6 +108,9 @@ class DispatchedService(object):
 
 
 def prepare_service(argv=None):
+    # NOTE(jd) We need to monkey patch the socket module for, at least,
+    # oslo.rpc, otherwise everything's blocked on its first read()
+    eventlet.monkey_patch(socket=True)
     gettextutils.install('ceilometer', lazy=True)
     rpc.set_defaults(control_exchange='ceilometer')
     cfg.set_defaults(log.log_opts,