diff --git a/lib/rpc_backend b/lib/rpc_backend
index 4d7f8d2f1d..f35f9dbd57 100644
--- a/lib/rpc_backend
+++ b/lib/rpc_backend
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ function iniset_rpc_backend() {
         iniset $file $section rpc_backend ${package}.openstack.common.rpc.impl_zmq
     elif is_service_enabled qpid; then
         iniset $file $section rpc_backend ${package}.openstack.common.rpc.impl_qpid
-    elif is_service_enabled rabbit; then
+    elif is_service_enabled rabbit || { [ -n "$RABBIT_HOST" ] && [ -n "$RABBIT_PASSWORD" ]; }; then
         iniset $file $section rpc_backend ${package}.openstack.common.rpc.impl_kombu
         iniset $file $section rabbit_host $RABBIT_HOST
         iniset $file $section rabbit_password $RABBIT_PASSWORD