diff --git a/src/etc/inc/plugins.inc.d/openssh.inc b/src/etc/inc/plugins.inc.d/openssh.inc
index 50064ccd5..d15683fdc 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/plugins.inc.d/openssh.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/plugins.inc.d/openssh.inc
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 function openssh_configure()
 {
     return array(
-        'bootup' => array('openssh_configure_do'),
+        'earlybootup' => array('openssh_configure_do'),
         'local' => array('openssh_configure_do'),
     );
 }
diff --git a/src/etc/rc.bootup b/src/etc/rc.bootup
index 89af4a494..44b38fd9a 100755
--- a/src/etc/rc.bootup
+++ b/src/etc/rc.bootup
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ filter_configure_sync(true);
 filter_pflog_start(true);
 setup_gateways_monitor(true);
 system_webgui_configure(true);
+plugins_configure('earlybootup', true);
 system_cron_configure(true);
 system_routing_configure('', true);