diff --git a/lib/tempest b/lib/tempest
index a78cd741c6..7695054f78 100644
--- a/lib/tempest
+++ b/lib/tempest
@@ -426,7 +426,6 @@ function configure_tempest {
     iniset $TEMPEST_CONFIG boto aki_manifest cirros-${CIRROS_VERSION}-${CIRROS_ARCH}-vmlinuz.manifest.xml
     iniset $TEMPEST_CONFIG boto instance_type "$boto_instance_type"
     iniset $TEMPEST_CONFIG boto http_socket_timeout 30
-    iniset $TEMPEST_CONFIG boto ssh_user ${DEFAULT_INSTANCE_USER:-cirros}
 
     # Orchestration Tests
     if is_service_enabled heat; then