diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/synchronize.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/synchronize.py
index b0cdcb1b11f..28c9ba7af3d 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/synchronize.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/synchronize.py
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
         # MUNGE SRC AND DEST PER REMOTE_HOST INFO
         src = self._task.args.get('src', None)
         dest = self._task.args.get('dest', None)
-        if between_multiple_hosts or use_delegate:
+        if between_multiple_hosts:
             # Private key handling
             if use_delegate:
                 private_key = task_vars.get('ansible_ssh_private_key_file') or self._play_context.private_key_file