diff --git a/packages/network/openssh/init.d/51_sshd b/packages/network/openssh/init.d/51_sshd
index 6900bd9077..ba6a16d5c8 100644
--- a/packages/network/openssh/init.d/51_sshd
+++ b/packages/network/openssh/init.d/51_sshd
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@
       fi
 
       progress "Starting SSH Server"
+        rm /var/run/sshd.pid &>/dev/null
         eval $SSHD $OPTIONS
     fi
   )&