diff --git a/cmd/puppeth/ssh.go b/cmd/puppeth/ssh.go
index 9b9e151052..ec6a1b669a 100644
--- a/cmd/puppeth/ssh.go
+++ b/cmd/puppeth/ssh.go
@@ -83,8 +83,7 @@ func dial(server string, pubkey []byte) (*sshClient, error) {
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Warn("Couldn't read password", "err", err)
 			}
-
-			key, err := ssh.ParsePrivateKeyWithPassphrase(buf, []byte(blob))
+			key, err := ssh.ParsePrivateKeyWithPassphrase(buf, blob)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Warn("Failed to decrypt SSH key, falling back to passwords", "path", path, "err", err)
 			} else {