diff --git a/octavia/compute/drivers/nova_driver.py b/octavia/compute/drivers/nova_driver.py
index 398c279bca..cdf634045e 100644
--- a/octavia/compute/drivers/nova_driver.py
+++ b/octavia/compute/drivers/nova_driver.py
@@ -204,9 +204,15 @@ class VirtualMachineManager(compute_base.ComputeBase):
 
         try:
             inf_list = nova_response.interface_list()
+            no_boot_networks = (
+                not CONF.controller_worker.amp_boot_network_list)
             for interface in inf_list:
                 net_id = interface.net_id
-                if net_id in CONF.controller_worker.amp_boot_network_list:
+                is_boot_network = (
+                    net_id in CONF.controller_worker.amp_boot_network_list)
+                # Pick the first fixed_ip if this is a boot network or if
+                # there are no boot networks configured (use default network)
+                if is_boot_network or no_boot_networks:
                     lb_network_ip = interface.fixed_ips[0]['ip_address']
                     break
                 elif net_id == CONF.controller_worker.amp_network:
diff --git a/octavia/tests/unit/compute/drivers/test_nova_driver.py b/octavia/tests/unit/compute/drivers/test_nova_driver.py
index 1038fd0028..2491fae6bb 100644
--- a/octavia/tests/unit/compute/drivers/test_nova_driver.py
+++ b/octavia/tests/unit/compute/drivers/test_nova_driver.py
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ class TestNovaClient(base.TestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
         conf = self.useFixture(oslo_fixture.Config(cfg.CONF))
+        self.conf = conf
         self.net_name = "lb-mgmt-net"
         conf.config(group="networking", lb_network_name=self.net_name)
         conf.config(group="controller_worker", amp_boot_network_list=[1, 2])
@@ -163,6 +164,32 @@ class TestNovaClient(base.TestCase):
             config_drive=True,
             scheduler_hints=None)
 
+    def test_build_with_default_boot_network(self):
+        self.conf.config(group="controller_worker",
+                         amp_boot_network_list='')
+        amphora_id = self.manager.build(amphora_flavor=1, image_id=1,
+                                        key_name=1,
+                                        sec_groups=1,
+                                        network_ids=None,
+                                        port_ids=[2],
+                                        user_data='Blah',
+                                        config_drive_files='Files Blah')
+
+        self.assertEqual(self.amphora.compute_id, amphora_id)
+
+        self.manager.manager.create.assert_called_with(
+            name="amphora_name",
+            nics=[{'port-id': 2}],
+            image=1,
+            flavor=1,
+            key_name=1,
+            security_groups=1,
+            files='Files Blah',
+            userdata='Blah',
+            config_drive=True,
+            scheduler_hints=None
+        )
+
     def test_bad_build(self):
         self.manager.manager.create.side_effect = Exception
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.ComputeBuildException, self.manager.build)