diff --git a/tools/playbooks/saio_single_node_setup/setup_saio.yaml b/tools/playbooks/saio_single_node_setup/setup_saio.yaml
index 60d39c5f30..c78cefda70 100644
--- a/tools/playbooks/saio_single_node_setup/setup_saio.yaml
+++ b/tools/playbooks/saio_single_node_setup/setup_saio.yaml
@@ -153,10 +153,12 @@
       with_items: "{{ find_result.files }}"
 
     - name: set the options in the proxy config file
-      shell:
-        cmd: |
-          crudini --set /etc/swift/proxy-server.conf app:proxy-server node_timeout 20
-        executable: /bin/bash
+      ini_file:
+        path: /etc/swift/proxy-server.conf
+        section: app:proxy-server
+        option: node_timeout
+        value: 20
+        create: no
 
     - name: copy the SAIO scripts for resetting the environment
       command: cp -r {{ zuul.project.src_dir }}/doc/saio/bin /home/{{ ansible_ssh_user }}/bin creates=/home/{{ ansible_ssh_user }}/bin