diff --git a/jjb/pipeline/voltha-scale-matrix.groovy b/jjb/pipeline/voltha-scale-matrix.groovy
index 8b3725b..624b582 100644
--- a/jjb/pipeline/voltha-scale-matrix.groovy
+++ b/jjb/pipeline/voltha-scale-matrix.groovy
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
     JENKINS_NODE_COOKIE="dontKillMe" // do not kill processes after the build is done
     KUBECONFIG="$HOME/.kube/config"
     VOLTCONFIG="$HOME/.volt/config"
+    SSHPASS="karaf"
     SCHEDULE_ON_CONTROL_NODES="yes"
     FANCY=0
     NAME="minimal"