diff --git a/pkg/ssh/ssh.go b/pkg/ssh/ssh.go
index 9a9ab9d91..05360c67d 100644
--- a/pkg/ssh/ssh.go
+++ b/pkg/ssh/ssh.go
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ func Fatal(hostname string, err error) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("could not resolve hostname for %s", hostname)
 	} else if strings.Contains(out, "Connection timed out") {
 		return fmt.Errorf("connection timed out for %s", hostname)
+	} else if strings.Contains(out, "Permission denied") {
+		return fmt.Errorf("ssh auth: permission denied for %s", hostname)
 	} else {
 		return err
 	}