diff --git a/xCAT-client/bin/xdsh b/xCAT-client/bin/xdsh
index c57ffb85d..4a565017f 100644
--- a/xCAT-client/bin/xdsh
+++ b/xCAT-client/bin/xdsh
@@ -369,6 +369,21 @@ sub parse_args_xdsh
         # Get the home directory
         my $home = xCAT::Utils->getHomeDir($current_userid);
         $ENV{'DSH_FROM_USERID_HOME'} = $home;
+        #
+        # create /.ssh dir if needed
+        #
+        my $sshdir = "$home/.ssh";
+        if (!-d $sshdir)
+        {
+           my $cmd = "/bin/mkdir -m 700 -p $sshdir";
+           my $outref = xCAT::Utils->runcmd("$cmd", 0);
+           if ($::RUNCMD_RC != 0)
+           {
+            xCAT::MsgUtils->message('E', "Could not create $sshdir directory.");
+            exit 1; 
+          }
+        }
+
 
         #  add config file with strict host checking no
         my $cmd = "echo \"StrictHostKeyChecking no\" >> $home/.ssh/config";