diff --git a/ansible/roles/rabbitmq/defaults/main.yml b/ansible/roles/rabbitmq/defaults/main.yml
index 6c57e9ca38..c894b436ed 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/rabbitmq/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/rabbitmq/defaults/main.yml
@@ -125,3 +125,5 @@ rabbitmq_feature_flags:
   - "virtual_host_metadata"
   - "maintenance_mode_status"
   - "user_limits"
+
+kolla_externally_managed_cert: False
diff --git a/ansible/roles/rabbitmq/tasks/precheck.yml b/ansible/roles/rabbitmq/tasks/precheck.yml
index b259f87537..ad663ce729 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/rabbitmq/tasks/precheck.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/rabbitmq/tasks/precheck.yml
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@
       - "{{ kolla_certificates_dir }}/{{ inventory_hostname }}-cert.pem"
       - "{{ kolla_certificates_dir }}/rabbitmq-cert.pem"
   when:
+    - not kolla_externally_managed_cert | bool
     - rabbitmq_enable_tls | bool
 
 - name: Check if TLS key exists for RabbitMQ
@@ -101,6 +102,7 @@
       - "{{ kolla_certificates_dir }}/{{ inventory_hostname }}-key.pem"
       - "{{ kolla_certificates_dir }}/rabbitmq-key.pem"
   when:
+    - not kolla_externally_managed_cert | bool
     - rabbitmq_enable_tls | bool
 
 - name: Checking free port for outward RabbitMQ
@@ -179,6 +181,7 @@
       - "{{ kolla_certificates_dir }}/{{ inventory_hostname }}-cert.pem"
       - "{{ kolla_certificates_dir }}/outward_rabbitmq-cert.pem"
   when:
+    - not kolla_externally_managed_cert | bool
     - enable_outward_rabbitmq | bool
     - rabbitmq_enable_tls | bool
 
@@ -193,6 +196,7 @@
       - "{{ kolla_certificates_dir }}/{{ inventory_hostname }}-key.pem"
       - "{{ kolla_certificates_dir }}/outward_rabbitmq-key.pem"
   when:
+    - not kolla_externally_managed_cert | bool
     - enable_outward_rabbitmq | bool
     - rabbitmq_enable_tls | bool
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/bug-1999081-769f1012263a48fd.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1999081-769f1012263a48fd.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8e8a6c275a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1999081-769f1012263a48fd.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    The precheck for RabbitMQ failed incorrectly when
+    ``kolla_externally_managed_cert`` was set to ``true``.
+    `LP#1999081 <https://bugs.launchpad.net/kolla-ansible/+bug/1999081>`__