diff --git a/roles/copr/backend/tasks/main.yml b/roles/copr/backend/tasks/main.yml
index 90f90f9fad..38f893b14d 100644
--- a/roles/copr/backend/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/copr/backend/tasks/main.yml
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 - name: install the latest copr-backend from f26
   command: dnf install -y https://kojipkgs.fedoraproject.org//packages/copr-backend/1.110/1.fc26/noarch/copr-backend-1.110-1.fc26.noarch.rpm
+  when: env != "staging"
 
 - name: add additional packages for copr-backend
   dnf: state=present name={{ item }}
@@ -27,6 +28,10 @@
   - python-keystoneclient
   - php-cli
 
+- name: install python2-novaclient version that actually works with the current OpenStack deployment
+  command: dnf install -y https://kojipkgs.fedoraproject.org/packages/python-novaclient/3.3.1/3.fc25/noarch/python2-novaclient-3.3.1-3.fc25.noarch.rpm
+  when: env == "staging"
+
 - name: make copr dirs
   file: state=directory path={{ item }}
   with_items: