diff --git a/ironic_tempest_plugin/config.py b/ironic_tempest_plugin/config.py
index 6ef2f2f..60ee113 100644
--- a/ironic_tempest_plugin/config.py
+++ b/ironic_tempest_plugin/config.py
@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@
 from tempest import config  # noqa
 
 
+service_option = cfg.BoolOpt('ironic',
+                             default=False,
+                             help='Whether or not Ironic is expected to be '
+                                  'available')
+
+
 baremetal_group = cfg.OptGroup(name='baremetal',
                                title='Baremetal provisioning service options',
                                help='When enabling baremetal tests, Nova '