[GH-ISSUE #5524] NB_DISABLE_SSH_CONFIG not carried over client upgrade on Debian #11387

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opened 2026-08-05 01:29:31 -04:00 by saavagebueno · 1 comment
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Originally created by @Peter-Csatlos on GitHub (Mar 6, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5524

Describe the problem

I want to disable the SSH config management feature so I ran the netbird service reconfigure --service-env NB_DISABLE_SSH_CONFIG=true command as suggested but after a while I notice that it is turned back on again. I almost certain that the upgrade process is removing/replacing the file where this env variable is written to.

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

  1. Disable the SSH config management by netbird service reconfigure --service-env NB_DISABLE_SSH_CONFIG=true
  2. Update to a newer netbird version
  3. See, that the '/etc/ssh/ssh_config.d/99-netbird.conf' file is present again.

Expected behavior

I expect the upgrade process carries these environment variables to newer versions.

NetBird version

0.66.2

Additional context

I'm on Debian 13, netbird is installed through the official install script, upgraded via 'apt' from the 'https://pkgs.netbird.io/debian' repo.

Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?

  • Reviewed client troubleshooting (if applicable)
  • Checked for newer NetBird versions
  • Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones)
  • Restarted the NetBird client
  • Disabled other VPN software
  • Checked firewall settings
Originally created by @Peter-Csatlos on GitHub (Mar 6, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5524 **Describe the problem** I want to disable the SSH config management feature so I ran the `netbird service reconfigure --service-env NB_DISABLE_SSH_CONFIG=true` command as suggested but after a while I notice that it is turned back on again. I almost certain that the upgrade process is removing/replacing the file where this env variable is written to. **To Reproduce** Steps to reproduce the behavior: 1. Disable the SSH config management by `netbird service reconfigure --service-env NB_DISABLE_SSH_CONFIG=true` 2. Update to a newer netbird version 3. See, that the '/etc/ssh/ssh_config.d/99-netbird.conf' file is present again. **Expected behavior** I expect the upgrade process carries these environment variables to newer versions. **NetBird version** 0.66.2 **Additional context** I'm on Debian 13, netbird is installed through the official install script, upgraded via 'apt' from the 'https://pkgs.netbird.io/debian' repo. **Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?** - [x] Reviewed [client troubleshooting](https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/troubleshooting-client) (if applicable) - [x] Checked for newer NetBird versions - [x] Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones) - [x] Restarted the NetBird client - [ ] Disabled other VPN software - [ ] Checked firewall settings
saavagebueno added the triage-needed label 2026-08-05 01:29:31 -04:00
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@ateijelo commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2026):

I had the same problem. Instead of the suggested command, use:

sudo systemctl edit netbird

In the editor, add the env var between the indicated comments, like this:

### Editing /etc/systemd/system/netbird.service.d/override.conf
### Anything between here and the comment below will become the contents of the drop-in file

[Service]
Environment=NB_DISABLE_SSH_CONFIG=true

### Edits below this comment will be discarded
...

I ran an apt install --reinstall netbird after that and /etc/ssh/ssh_config.d/99-netbird.conf did not return.

<!-- gh-comment-id:4126099255 --> @ateijelo commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2026): I had the same problem. Instead of the suggested command, use: ```bash sudo systemctl edit netbird ``` In the editor, add the env var between the indicated comments, like this: ``` ### Editing /etc/systemd/system/netbird.service.d/override.conf ### Anything between here and the comment below will become the contents of the drop-in file [Service] Environment=NB_DISABLE_SSH_CONFIG=true ### Edits below this comment will be discarded ... ``` I ran an `apt install --reinstall netbird` after that and `/etc/ssh/ssh_config.d/99-netbird.conf` did not return.
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Reference: DYNR/netbird#11387