diff --git a/crypto/dist/ssh/auth2.c b/crypto/dist/ssh/auth2.c
index a4e84a0e17d9..6b84ea880338 100644
--- a/crypto/dist/ssh/auth2.c
+++ b/crypto/dist/ssh/auth2.c
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ userauth_pubkey(Authctxt *authctxt)
 				packet_put_string(pkblob, blen);
 				packet_send();
 				packet_write_wait();
-				authenticated = -1;
+				authctxt->postponed = 1;
 			}
 		}
 		if (authenticated != 1)