diff --git a/clean.sh b/clean.sh
index f3b2a99fdf..3707d8411e 100755
--- a/clean.sh
+++ b/clean.sh
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ source $TOP_DIR/lib/rpc_backend
 
 source $TOP_DIR/lib/tls
 
+source $TOP_DIR/lib/oslo
 source $TOP_DIR/lib/horizon
 source $TOP_DIR/lib/keystone
 source $TOP_DIR/lib/glance
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ if [[ -d $TOP_DIR/extras.d ]]; then
 fi
 
 # Clean projects
+cleanup_oslo
 cleanup_cinder
 cleanup_glance
 cleanup_keystone
diff --git a/lib/oslo b/lib/oslo
index 2e1f6bffa0..3cf72186a1 100644
--- a/lib/oslo
+++ b/lib/oslo
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ TASKFLOW_DIR=$DEST/taskflow
 
 # install_oslo() - Collect source and prepare
 function install_oslo {
+    # TODO(sdague): remove this once we get to Icehouse, this just makes
+    # for a smoother transition of existing users.
+    cleanup_oslo
+
     git_clone $CLIFF_REPO $CLIFF_DIR $CLIFF_BRANCH
     setup_install $CLIFF_DIR
 
@@ -59,6 +63,17 @@ function install_oslo {
     setup_install $TASKFLOW_DIR
 }
 
+# cleanup_oslo() - purge possibly old versions of oslo
+function cleanup_oslo {
+    # this means we've got an old oslo installed, lets get rid of it
+    if ! python -c 'import oslo.config' 2>/dev/null; then
+        echo "Found old oslo.config... removing to ensure consistency"
+        local PIP_CMD=$(get_pip_command)
+        pip_install oslo.config
+        sudo $PIP_CMD uninstall -y oslo.config
+    fi
+}
+
 # Restore xtrace
 $XTRACE