diff --git a/home.admin/_bootstrap.sh b/home.admin/_bootstrap.sh
index 0a771d530..e537246b8 100755
--- a/home.admin/_bootstrap.sh
+++ b/home.admin/_bootstrap.sh
@@ -105,8 +105,10 @@ if [ "${provisionFlagExists}" == "1" ]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
-# make sure SSH server certs are configured
+# make sure SSH server certs are configured & sshd is running
+sudo systemctl stop sshd
 sudo dpkg-reconfigure openssh-server
+sudo systemctl start sshd
 
 ######################################
 # SECTION FOR POSSIBLE REBOOT ACTIONS