diff --git a/bin/ansible-playbook b/bin/ansible-playbook
index 138e5a0d93..8a2f359503 100755
--- a/bin/ansible-playbook
+++ b/bin/ansible-playbook
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def main(args):
 
     sshpass = None
     sudopass = None
-    if not options.listhosts:
+    if not options.listhosts and not options.syntax:
         options.ask_pass = options.ask_pass or C.DEFAULT_ASK_PASS
         if options.ask_pass:
             sshpass = getpass.getpass(prompt="SSH password: ")