diff --git a/cloud/openstack/os_project.py b/cloud/openstack/os_project.py
index eeaa101e660..4c686724c89 100644
--- a/cloud/openstack/os_project.py
+++ b/cloud/openstack/os_project.py
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     HAS_SHADE = False
 
+from distutils.version import StrictVersion
+
 DOCUMENTATION = '''
 ---
 module: os_project
@@ -46,7 +48,8 @@ options:
      default: None
    domain_id:
      description:
-        - Domain id to create the project in if the cloud supports domains
+        - Domain id to create the project in if the cloud supports domains.
+          The domain_id parameter requires shade >= 1.8.0
      required: false
      default: None
      aliases: ['domain']
@@ -160,6 +163,9 @@ def main():
     enabled = module.params['enabled']
     state = module.params['state']
 
+    if domain and StrictVersion(shade.__version__) < StrictVersion('1.8.0'):
+        module.fail_json(msg="The domain argument requires shade >=1.8.0")
+
     try:
         if domain:
             opcloud = shade.operator_cloud(**module.params)