diff --git a/extensions/molecule/linode/create.yml b/extensions/molecule/linode/create.yml
index fd73a3f..51bca5c 100644
--- a/extensions/molecule/linode/create.yml
+++ b/extensions/molecule/linode/create.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
   tasks:
     - name: Confirm we can reach
       command:
-        cmd: "ping -c5 {{ lookup('env', 'TARGET_IP_ADDRESS') }}"
+        cmd: "ssh -T root@{{ lookup('env', 'TARGET_IP_ADDRESS') }}"
       register: isping
 
     - debug: