diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index 0bea2de..35e55c6 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 #python venv executable
-rally_venv_python_executable: "{{ openstack_venv_python_executable | default('python2') }}"
+rally_venv_python_executable: "{{ openstack_venv_python_executable | default('python3') }}"
 
 # Set the package install state for distribution and pip packages
 # Options are 'present' and 'latest'