diff --git a/guix/ssh.scm b/guix/ssh.scm
index a6f0f2eb96..1b825a2573 100644
--- a/guix/ssh.scm
+++ b/guix/ssh.scm
@@ -162,6 +162,10 @@ (define* (open-ssh-session host #:key user port identity
          ('success
           (session-set! session 'timeout timeout)
           session)
+         ('again
+          (raise (formatted-message (G_ "timeout while connecting \
+to SSH server at '~a'")
+                                    (session-get session 'host))))
          (x
           (match (userauth-gssapi! session)
             ('success