diff --git a/test/nvme/hw_hotplug.sh b/test/nvme/hw_hotplug.sh
index a0891230b..19984ad9b 100755
--- a/test/nvme/hw_hotplug.sh
+++ b/test/nvme/hw_hotplug.sh
@@ -4,33 +4,43 @@ testdir=$(readlink -f $(dirname $0))
 rootdir=$(readlink -f $testdir/../..)
 source $rootdir/test/common/autotest_common.sh
 
+function beetle_ssh() {
+	if [[ -n $BEETLE_SSH_KEY ]]; then
+		ssh_opts=" -i $(readlink -f $BEETLE_SSH_KEY)"
+	fi
+
+	#shellcheck disable=SC2029
+	ssh $ssh_opts root@$ip "$@"
+}
+
 function insert_device() {
-	ssh root@$ip 'Beetle --SetGpio "$gpio" HIGH'
+	beetle_ssh 'Beetle --SetGpio "$gpio" HIGH'
 	waitforblk $name
 	DRIVER_OVERRIDE=$driver $rootdir/scripts/setup.sh
 }
 
 function remove_device() {
-	ssh root@$ip 'Beetle --SetGpio "$gpio" LOW'
+	beetle_ssh 'Beetle --SetGpio "$gpio" LOW'
 }
 
 function restore_device() {
-	ssh root@$ip 'Beetle --SetGpio "$gpio" HIGH'
+	beetle_ssh 'Beetle --SetGpio "$gpio" HIGH'
 }
 
 ip=$1
 gpio=$2
 driver=$3
+
 declare -i io_time=5
 declare -i kernel_hotplug_time=7
 
 timing_enter hotplug_hw_cfg
 
 # Configure microcontroller
-ssh root@$ip 'Beetle --SetGpioDirection "$gpio" OUT'
+beetle_ssh 'Beetle --SetGpioDirection "$gpio" OUT'
 
 # Get blk dev name connected to interposer
-ssh root@$ip 'Beetle --SetGpio "$gpio" HIGH'
+beetle_ssh 'Beetle --SetGpio "$gpio" HIGH'
 sleep $kernel_hotplug_time
 $rootdir/scripts/setup.sh reset
 blk_list1=$(lsblk -d --output NAME | grep "^nvme")