diff --git a/src/nix-daemon/nix-daemon.cc b/src/nix-daemon/nix-daemon.cc
index 07ad0b45b..1b90fad16 100644
--- a/src/nix-daemon/nix-daemon.cc
+++ b/src/nix-daemon/nix-daemon.cc
@@ -483,7 +483,9 @@ static void performOp(ref<LocalStore> store, bool trusted, unsigned int clientVe
             };
 
             try {
-                if (trusted
+                if (name == "ssh-auth-sock") // obsolete
+                    ;
+                else if (trusted
                     || name == settings.buildTimeout.name
                     || name == settings.connectTimeout.name)
                     settings.set(name, value);