diff --git a/neutron/services/metering/drivers/iptables/iptables_driver.py b/neutron/services/metering/drivers/iptables/iptables_driver.py
index e00d515c350..69c3955a421 100644
--- a/neutron/services/metering/drivers/iptables/iptables_driver.py
+++ b/neutron/services/metering/drivers/iptables/iptables_driver.py
@@ -15,9 +15,8 @@
 from oslo_config import cfg
 from oslo_log import helpers as log_helpers
 from oslo_log import log as logging
-from oslo_utils import importutils
 
-from neutron._i18n import _
+from neutron.agent.common import utils as common_utils
 from neutron.agent.l3 import dvr_snat_ns
 from neutron.agent.l3 import namespaces
 from neutron.agent.linux import ip_lib
@@ -107,11 +106,7 @@ class IptablesMeteringDriver(abstract_driver.MeteringAbstractDriver):
         self.conf = conf or cfg.CONF
         self.routers = {}
 
-        if not self.conf.interface_driver:
-            raise SystemExit(_('An interface driver must be specified'))
-        LOG.info("Loading interface driver %s", self.conf.interface_driver)
-        self.driver = importutils.import_object(self.conf.interface_driver,
-                                                self.conf)
+        self.driver = common_utils.load_interface_driver(self.conf)
 
     def _update_router(self, router):
         r = self.routers.get(router['id'],
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/metering-iptables-driver-load-interface-driver-ca397f1db40ec643.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/metering-iptables-driver-load-interface-driver-ca397f1db40ec643.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..997b232fc03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/metering-iptables-driver-load-interface-driver-ca397f1db40ec643.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+other:
+  - |
+    The metering agent iptables driver can now load its interface driver by
+    using a stevedore alias in the ``metering_agent.ini`` file. For example,
+    ``interface_driver = openvswitch``  instead of
+    ``interface_driver = neutron.agent.linux.interface.OVSInterfaceDriver``