diff --git a/playbooks/tox/pre.yaml b/playbooks/tox/pre.yaml
index 69e7def02..87e13883d 100644
--- a/playbooks/tox/pre.yaml
+++ b/playbooks/tox/pre.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 - hosts: all
   roles:
     - ensure-tox
+    - ensure-python
diff --git a/roles/ensure-python/README.rst b/roles/ensure-python/README.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..029398029
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/ensure-python/README.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+Ensure specified python interpreter and development files are installed
+
+.. note:: This role is only available for Debian based platforms
+          currently.
+
+**Role Variables**
+
+.. zuul:rolevar:: python_version
+
+  Optional version of python interpreter to install, such as ``3.7``.
diff --git a/roles/ensure-python/tasks/main.yaml b/roles/ensure-python/tasks/main.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7b3a59487
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/ensure-python/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+- name: Install specified version of python interpreter and development files
+  when: python_version is defined
+  package:
+    name: python{{ python_version }}-dev
+    state: present
+  become: yes