diff --git a/ramalama/common.py b/ramalama/common.py
index 50c1db2f..2c562a84 100644
--- a/ramalama/common.py
+++ b/ramalama/common.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 MNT_FILE = f"{MNT_DIR}/model.file"
 HTTP_RANGE_NOT_SATISFIABLE = 416
 
+DEFAULT_IMAGE="quay.io/ramalama/ramalama"
 
 def container_manager():
     engine = os.getenv("RAMALAMA_CONTAINER_ENGINE")
@@ -156,7 +157,7 @@ def default_image():
     if image:
         return image
 
-    return "quay.io/ramalama/ramalama"
+    return DEFAULT_IMAGE
 
 
 def genname():
diff --git a/ramalama/model.py b/ramalama/model.py
index 24c27e52..506ac641 100644
--- a/ramalama/model.py
+++ b/ramalama/model.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 from ramalama.common import (
     container_manager,
+    DEFAULT_IMAGE,
     default_image,
     exec_cmd,
     genname,
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ def attempt_to_use_versioned(self, conman, image, vers, args):
         return False
 
     def _image(self, args):
-        if args.image != default_image():
+        if args.image != DEFAULT_IMAGE:
             return args.image
 
         env_vars = get_env_vars()