diff --git a/vars/debian.yml b/vars/debian.yml
index 2adfb208..4f87b372 100644
--- a/vars/debian.yml
+++ b/vars/debian.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ swift_distro_packages:
   - curl
   - git-core
   - openssh-server
+  - openssh-client
   - rsync
 
 swift_devel_distro_packages:
diff --git a/vars/redhat-7.yml b/vars/redhat-7.yml
index d9751baf..1610246e 100644
--- a/vars/redhat-7.yml
+++ b/vars/redhat-7.yml
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ swift_distro_packages:
   - curl
   - git
   - openssh-server
+  - openssh-clients
   - rsync
   - cronie
   - cronie-anacron