diff --git a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.cpp b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.cpp
index 6dd2e49f9d4..17108b91cca 100644
--- a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.cpp
@@ -169,7 +169,8 @@ SshConnection::SshConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &serverInfo, QObject
             if (!QFileInfo::exists(d->socketFilePath()))
                 return;
             d->socketWatcher->disconnect();
-            d->socketWatcher->removeDirectory(QFileInfo(d->socketFilePath()).path());
+            d->socketWatcher->deleteLater();
+            d->socketWatcher = nullptr;
             d->socketWatcherTimer.disconnect();
             d->socketWatcherTimer.stop();
             emitConnected();