diff --git a/test/testenv.sh b/test/testenv.sh
index 828e0589..6f25bb55 100644
--- a/test/testenv.sh
+++ b/test/testenv.sh
@@ -113,4 +113,9 @@ fi
 mkdir -p "$TMPDIR"
 mkdir -p "$TRASHDIR"
 
+
+if [ $IS_WINDOWS == "1" ]; then
+  # prevent Windows OpenSSH from opening GUI prompts
+  SSH_ASKPASS=""
+fi
 . "test/testhelpers.sh"