diff --git a/ansible/bifrost.yml b/ansible/bifrost.yml
index ad02f05398..1769ce8e22 100644
--- a/ansible/bifrost.yml
+++ b/ansible/bifrost.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,20 @@
 ---
+- name: Detect openstack_release variable
+  hosts: bifrost
+  gather_facts: false
+  tasks:
+    - name: Get current kolla-ansible version number
+      local_action: command python -c "import pbr.version; print(pbr.version.VersionInfo('kolla-ansible'))"
+      register: kolla_ansible_version
+      changed_when: false
+      when: openstack_release == "auto"
+
+    - name: Set openstack_release variable
+      set_fact:
+        openstack_release: "{{ kolla_ansible_version.stdout }}"
+      when: openstack_release == "auto"
+  tags: always
+
 - name: Apply role bifrost
   hosts: bifrost
   roles: