diff --git a/tempest/api/baremetal/admin/base.py b/tempest/api/baremetal/admin/base.py
index 62edd10..8efddcb 100644
--- a/tempest/api/baremetal/admin/base.py
+++ b/tempest/api/baremetal/admin/base.py
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@
 # which has no external dependencies.
 SUPPORTED_DRIVERS = ['fake']
 
+# NOTE(jroll): resources must be deleted in a specific order, this list
+# defines the resource types to clean up, and the correct order.
+RESOURCE_TYPES = ['port', 'node', 'chassis']
+
 
 def creates(resource):
     """Decorator that adds resources to the appropriate cleanup list."""
@@ -66,16 +70,17 @@
         mgr = clients.AdminManager()
         cls.client = mgr.baremetal_client
         cls.power_timeout = CONF.baremetal.power_timeout
-        cls.created_objects = {'chassis': set(),
-                               'port': set(),
-                               'node': set()}
+        cls.created_objects = {}
+        for resource in RESOURCE_TYPES:
+            cls.created_objects[resource] = set()
 
     @classmethod
     def tearDownClass(cls):
         """Ensure that all created objects get destroyed."""
 
         try:
-            for resource, uuids in cls.created_objects.iteritems():
+            for resource in RESOURCE_TYPES:
+                uuids = cls.created_objects[resource]
                 delete_method = getattr(cls.client, 'delete_%s' % resource)
                 for u in uuids:
                     delete_method(u, ignore_errors=exc.NotFound)