diff --git a/.zuul.yaml b/.zuul.yaml
index 548d014b4..f4829379d 100644
--- a/.zuul.yaml
+++ b/.zuul.yaml
@@ -336,6 +336,8 @@
           DIB_SIMPLE_INIT_NETWORKMANAGER: '1'
 
 - project:
+    vars:
+      release_python: python3
     check:
       jobs:
         - opendev-buildset-registry
@@ -361,9 +363,7 @@
         - zuul-quick-start:
             requires: zuul-container-image
             dependencies: nodepool-build-image
-        - build-python-release:
-            vars:
-              release_python: python3
+        - build-python-release
     gate:
       jobs:
         - nodepool-upload-image
@@ -379,9 +379,7 @@
         - zuul-quick-start:
             requires: zuul-container-image
             dependencies: nodepool-upload-image
-        - build-python-release:
-            vars:
-              release_python: python3
+        - build-python-release
     promote:
       jobs:
         - nodepool-promote-image