diff --git a/files/synchronize b/files/synchronize
index 7e9ea8e032c..842dd863849 100644
--- a/files/synchronize
+++ b/files/synchronize
@@ -303,17 +303,18 @@ def main():
     else:
         private_key = '-i '+ private_key 
 
+    ssh_opts = '-S none -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no'
     if dest_port != 22:
-        cmd += " --rsh '%s %s -o %s -o Port=%s'" % ('ssh', private_key,
-                'StrictHostKeyChecking=no', dest_port)
+        cmd += " --rsh 'ssh %s %s -o Port=%s'" % (private_key, ssh_opts, dest_port)
     else:
-        cmd += " --rsh '%s %s -o %s'" % ('ssh', private_key,
-                'StrictHostKeyChecking=no')  # need ssh param
+        cmd += " --rsh 'ssh %s %s'" % (private_key, ssh_opts)  # need ssh param
 
     if rsync_path:
         cmd = cmd + " --rsync-path=%s" % (rsync_path)
+
     if rsync_opts:
         cmd = cmd + " " +  " ".join(rsync_opts)
+
     changed_marker = '<<CHANGED>>'
     cmd = cmd + " --out-format='" + changed_marker + "%i %n%L'"