diff --git a/roles/multi-node-bridge/README.rst b/roles/multi-node-bridge/README.rst
index 49ee94c68..ef9afa2be 100644
--- a/roles/multi-node-bridge/README.rst
+++ b/roles/multi-node-bridge/README.rst
@@ -74,3 +74,9 @@ inventory in order to work:
    :default: 23
 
    The IP address range CIDR/subnet.
+
+.. zuul:rolevar:: install_ovs
+   :default: true
+
+   Whether or not to install openvswitch. It can be set to false
+   when ovs installation is taken care outside of the role.
diff --git a/roles/multi-node-bridge/defaults/main.yaml b/roles/multi-node-bridge/defaults/main.yaml
index 1ba0c86ee..523caaf63 100644
--- a/roles/multi-node-bridge/defaults/main.yaml
+++ b/roles/multi-node-bridge/defaults/main.yaml
@@ -6,3 +6,4 @@ bridge_configure_address: true
 bridge_address_prefix: 172.24.4
 bridge_address_offset: 1
 bridge_address_subnet: 23
+install_ovs: true
diff --git a/roles/multi-node-bridge/tasks/common.yaml b/roles/multi-node-bridge/tasks/common.yaml
index a0e22cd91..6931d5cf5 100644
--- a/roles/multi-node-bridge/tasks/common.yaml
+++ b/roles/multi-node-bridge/tasks/common.yaml
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@
     name: "{{ ovs_package }}"
     state: present
   when:
+    - install_ovs|bool
     - ansible_distribution != 'Gentoo'
 
 - name: Install openvswitch (Gentoo)
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@
     state: present
     jobs: 8
   when:
+    - install_ovs|bool
     - ansible_distribution == 'Gentoo'
 
 - name: Ensure openvswitch is started
@@ -66,6 +68,8 @@
     name: "{{ ovs_service }}"
     state: started
     enabled: yes
+  when:
+    - install_ovs|bool
 
 - name: Remove RDO repository files
   become: yes