diff --git a/data/data/bootstrap/files/usr/local/bin/node-image-overlay.sh b/data/data/bootstrap/files/usr/local/bin/node-image-overlay.sh
index 7cbff93b23..834ab1c203 100755
--- a/data/data/bootstrap/files/usr/local/bin/node-image-overlay.sh
+++ b/data/data/bootstrap/files/usr/local/bin/node-image-overlay.sh
@@ -19,6 +19,3 @@ rsync -a --exclude crypto-policies "${ostree_checkout}/usr/etc/" /etc
 # reload the new policy
 echo "Reloading SELinux policy"
 semodule -R
-
-# handle upgrade of sshd between RHEL 9.6 and 9.8
-systemctl --no-block try-restart sshd.service