diff --git a/coin/instructions/coin_module_test_qnx_start_emulator.yaml b/coin/instructions/coin_module_test_qnx_start_emulator.yaml
index 486b6898474..074f9545aa2 100644
--- a/coin/instructions/coin_module_test_qnx_start_emulator.yaml
+++ b/coin/instructions/coin_module_test_qnx_start_emulator.yaml
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ instructions:
 
             while :; do
                 echo "Waiting QEMU SSH coming up"
-                status=$(ssh -o BatchMode=yes -o ConnectTimeout=1 ${QEMUIPADDR} echo ok 2>&1)
+                status=$(ssh -o PreferredAuthentications=publickey -o BatchMode=yes -o ConnectTimeout=1 ${QEMUIPADDR} echo ok 2>&1)
                 RESULT=$?
                 if [ $RESULT -eq 0 ]; then
                     echo "QEMU SSH Connected ok"