diff --git a/azurelinuxagent/pa/provision/default.py b/azurelinuxagent/pa/provision/default.py
index b07c147..e10eb9c 100644
--- a/azurelinuxagent/pa/provision/default.py
+++ b/azurelinuxagent/pa/provision/default.py
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ class ProvisionHandler(object):
             self.provision(ovfenv)
             fileutil.write_file(provisioned, "")
             thumbprint = self.reg_ssh_host_key()
+            self.osutil.restart_ssh_service()
             logger.info("Finished provisioning")
         except ProvisionError as e:
             logger.error("Provision failed: {0}", e)
@@ -142,8 +143,6 @@ class ProvisionHandler(object):
         if sel:
             self.osutil.set_selinux_enforce(1)
 
-        self.osutil.restart_ssh_service()
-
     def save_customdata(self, ovfenv):
         customdata = ovfenv.customdata
         if customdata is None: