diff --git a/lib/ansible/runner/connection/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/runner/connection/__init__.py
index 180ac7f7d4..eda7b61df0 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/runner/connection/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/runner/connection/__init__.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class Connection(object):
         elif transport == 'paramiko':
             conn = paramiko_ssh.ParamikoConnection(self.runner, host, port)
         elif transport == 'ssh':
-            conn = SSHConnection(self.runner, host, port)
+            conn = ssh.SSHConnection(self.runner, host, port)
         if conn is None:
             raise Exception("unsupported connection type")
         return conn.connect()