An annular beveled insert for enhancing the insertion of a plain end of a pipe into a mating belled end of a pipe, the insert including an annular main body portion having a substantially flat surface and a beveled opposed surface. The annular main body portion has inner and outer diameters approximately equal to inner and outer diameters, respectively, of the plain end of the pipe. An outwardly directed flange extends from the annular main body portion around a periphery and has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the plain end of the pipe. The flange is sufficiently flexible so that it bends into an angle of approximately ninety degrees with the flat surface of the annular main body portion and aids the main body portion in masking the plain end of the pipe as it passes through the annular gasket.