diff --git a/roles/sshd/tasks/main.yml b/roles/sshd/tasks/main.yml
index 2e602d0fa..567fd72dd 100644
--- a/roles/sshd/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/sshd/tasks/main.yml
@@ -6,6 +6,25 @@
     state: present
 #TODO: use handler to reload ssh
 
+- name: Create root .ssh
+  file:
+    path: /root/.ssh
+    owner: root
+    group: root
+    mode: 0700
+    state: directory
+  when: sshd_enabled
+
+- name: Install dummy root keys as placeholder
+  copy:
+    src: dummy_authorized_keys
+    dest: /root/.ssh/authorized_keys
+    owner: root
+    group: root
+    mode: 0600
+    force: no
+  when: sshd_enabled
+
 - name: Enable & start sshd
   service:
     name: "{{ sshd_service }}"