diff --git a/lib/jnpr/junos/device.py b/lib/jnpr/junos/device.py
index 26138722b..b3ff6dfec 100644
--- a/lib/jnpr/junos/device.py
+++ b/lib/jnpr/junos/device.py
@@ -218,7 +218,6 @@ def _sshconf_lkup(self):
                 self._hostname = found.get('hostname', self._hostname)
                 self._port = found.get('port', self._port)
                 self._conf_auth_user = found.get('user')
-                self._conf_ssh_private_key_file = found.get('identityfile')
             return sshconf_path
 
     def display_xml_rpc(self, command, format='xml'):
@@ -830,15 +829,13 @@ def __init__(self, *vargs, **kvargs):
             # user will default to $USER
             self._auth_user = os.getenv('USER')
             self._conf_auth_user = None
-            self._conf_ssh_private_key_file = None
             # user can get updated by ssh_config
             self._ssh_config = kvargs.get('ssh_config')
             self._sshconf_lkup()
             # but if user or private key is explicit from call, then use it.
             self._auth_user = kvargs.get('user') or self._conf_auth_user or \
                 self._auth_user
-            self._ssh_private_key_file = kvargs.get('ssh_private_key_file') \
-                or self._conf_ssh_private_key_file
+            self._ssh_private_key_file = kvargs.get('ssh_private_key_file')
             self._auth_password = kvargs.get(
                 'password') or kvargs.get('passwd')