diff --git a/home.admin/_bootstrap.sh b/home.admin/_bootstrap.sh
index e537246b8..58848b6dc 100755
--- a/home.admin/_bootstrap.sh
+++ b/home.admin/_bootstrap.sh
@@ -94,6 +94,11 @@ sudo chmod 777 ${infoFile}
 ######################################
 # CHECK SD CARD INCONSISTENT STATE
 
+# make sure SSH server certs are configured & sshd is running
+sudo systemctl stop sshd
+sudo dpkg-reconfigure openssh-server
+sudo systemctl start sshd
+
 # when the provision did not ran thru without error (ask user for fresh sd card)
 provisionFlagExists=$(sudo ls /home/admin/provision.flag | grep -c 'provision.flag')
 if [ "${provisionFlagExists}" == "1" ]; then
@@ -105,11 +110,6 @@ if [ "${provisionFlagExists}" == "1" ]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
-# 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
 systemInitReboot=0