diff --git a/sys/src/cmd/ssh.c b/sys/src/cmd/ssh.c
index a486c9fb4..4595153da 100644
--- a/sys/src/cmd/ssh.c
+++ b/sys/src/cmd/ssh.c
@@ -827,7 +827,7 @@ passauth(void)
 	if(!authok(authmeth))
 		return -1;
 
-	up = auth_getuserpasswd(auth_getkey, "proto=pass servive=ssh user=%q server=%q thumb=%q",
+	up = auth_getuserpasswd(auth_getkey, "proto=pass service=ssh user=%q server=%q thumb=%q",
 		user, host, thumb);
 	if(up == nil)
 		return -1;