diff --git a/.zuul.yaml b/.zuul.yaml
index daf9972586..1b87b027a0 100644
--- a/.zuul.yaml
+++ b/.zuul.yaml
@@ -36,9 +36,15 @@
           label: ubuntu-bionic
         - name: centos7
           label: centos-7
+    host-vars:
+      trusty:
+        ansible_python_interpreter: python2
+      centos7:
+        ansible_python_interpreter: python2
     pre-run: playbooks/zuul/run-base-pre.yaml
     run: playbooks/zuul/run-base.yaml
     files:
+      - .zuul.yaml
       - playbooks/.*
       - roles/.*
       - testinfra/.*