diff --git a/ansible/kayobe-ansible-user.yml b/ansible/kayobe-ansible-user.yml
index 8b5c6990a..956d7f750 100644
--- a/ansible/kayobe-ansible-user.yml
+++ b/ansible/kayobe-ansible-user.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
   tasks:
     - name: Check whether the host is accessible via SSH
       local_action:
-        module: command ssh -p {{ ssh_port }} {{ ssh_user }}@{{ ssh_host }} hostname
+        module: command ssh -o BatchMode=yes -p {{ ssh_port }} {{ ssh_user }}@{{ ssh_host }} hostname
       failed_when: false
       changed_when: false
       register: ssh_result
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/ssh-batchmode-cda7a4ed63006378.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/ssh-batchmode-cda7a4ed63006378.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..34cb808fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/ssh-batchmode-cda7a4ed63006378.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    Uses BatchMode to check whether a host is accessible via SSH. This prevents
+    Kayobe from hanging on a password prompt when password authentication is
+    enabled on the host and the Kayobe Ansible user is not yet configured.