diff --git a/install-koji-farm.sh b/install-koji-farm.sh
index 8e9f9ea..173d397 100644
--- a/install-koji-farm.sh
+++ b/install-koji-farm.sh
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ if [[ $KOJI_WEB_FQDN = $KOJI_HUB_FQDN ]] ; then
 else
     # deploy remotely to $KOJI_WEB_FQDN
     # check that I can conmnect
-    if [ ! nc -z $KOJI_WEB_FQDN 22 ] ; then
+    if [ ! $(nc -z $KOJI_WEB_FQDN 22 2>&1 : grep succeeded) ] ; then
         echo "I cannot connect to $KOJI_WEB_FQDN! Is it online? "
         echo "Options:"
         echo "- turn on the server"