diff --git a/elastic_recheck/bot.py b/elastic_recheck/bot.py
index aa3f290e..291b4f2b 100755
--- a/elastic_recheck/bot.py
+++ b/elastic_recheck/bot.py
@@ -217,6 +217,11 @@ class RecheckWatch(threading.Thread):
 class ChannelConfig(object):
     def __init__(self, data):
         self.data = data
+        # for compatibility reasons we support a pre channel hierarchy
+        # model of the world.
+        if 'channels' in data:
+            self.data = data['channels']
+
         keys = data.keys()
         for key in keys:
             if key[0] != '#':
diff --git a/recheckwatchbot.yaml b/recheckwatchbot.yaml
index 6474932a..9d8eae25 100644
--- a/recheckwatchbot.yaml
+++ b/recheckwatchbot.yaml
@@ -1,19 +1,18 @@
-openstack-nova:
-    projects:
-      - nova
-    events:
-      - positive
-
-openstack-glance:
-    projects:
-      - glance
-    events:
-      - positive
-
-openstack-qa:
-    projects:
-      - all
-    events:
-      - positive
-      - negative
+channels:
+    openstack-nova:
+      projects:
+        - nova
+      events:
+        - positive
+    openstack-glance:
+      projects:
+        - glance
+      events:
+        - positive
+    openstack-qa:
+      projects:
+        - all
+      events:
+        - positive
+        - negative