diff --git a/psftp.c b/psftp.c
index 2e25d97c..cb5add3f 100644
--- a/psftp.c
+++ b/psftp.c
@@ -2798,6 +2798,8 @@ static int psftp_connect(char *userhost, char *user, int portnumber)
     back->provide_logctx(backhandle, logctx);
     console_provide_logctx(logctx);
     while (!back->sendok(backhandle)) {
+	if (back->exitcode(backhandle) >= 0)
+	    return 1;
 	if (ssh_sftp_loop_iteration() < 0) {
 	    fprintf(stderr, "ssh_init: error during SSH connection setup\n");
 	    return 1;