diff --git a/lib/rpc_backend b/lib/rpc_backend
index 97b1aa409a..a21f781b4e 100644
--- a/lib/rpc_backend
+++ b/lib/rpc_backend
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ _XTRACE_RPC_BACKEND=$(set +o | grep xtrace)
 set +o xtrace
 
 RABBIT_USERID=${RABBIT_USERID:-stackrabbit}
+if is_service_enabled rabbit; then
+    RABBIT_HOST=${RABBIT_HOST:-$SERVICE_HOST}
+fi
 
 # Functions
 # ---------
diff --git a/stack.sh b/stack.sh
index 0aaa60470a..7d440a7c20 100755
--- a/stack.sh
+++ b/stack.sh
@@ -663,7 +663,6 @@ initialize_database_backends && echo "Using $DATABASE_TYPE database backend" ||
 # In multi node DevStack, second node needs ``RABBIT_USERID``, but rabbit
 # isn't enabled.
 if is_service_enabled rabbit; then
-    RABBIT_HOST=${RABBIT_HOST:-$SERVICE_HOST}
     read_password RABBIT_PASSWORD "ENTER A PASSWORD TO USE FOR RABBIT."
 fi