diff --git a/test-vars.yml b/test-vars.yml
index 282c7bae..ecf3b00c 100644
--- a/test-vars.yml
+++ b/test-vars.yml
@@ -170,7 +170,8 @@ nova_api_container_mysql_password: "SuperSecrete"
 nova_glance_api_servers: "http://{{ test_glance_host }}:9292"
 nova_container_mysql_password: "SuperSecrete"
 nova_developer_mode: true
-nova_git_install_branch: "{{ test_branch }}"
+# pinned to before the placement API removal
+nova_git_install_branch: e4857b98573bb5b50797298886399c5c37ab3eba # HEAD as of 29.03.2019
 nova_keystone_auth_plugin: password
 nova_management_address: "{{ ansible_host }}"
 nova_metadata_port: 8775