Avamar: /etc/ssh/sshd_config line 156: Bad Match condition
Summary: This article describes how to correct an error preventing sshd from starting, caused by empty Match blocks in sshd_config.
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Symptoms
The following error might be observed during node addition, upgrade on accelerator nodes, or other scenarios:
/etc/ssh/sshd_config line 156: Bad Match condition
Note: The line number reported by the error changes depending on the contents of sshd_config.
Cause
The file /etc/ssh/sshd_config has been set up with Match blocks, in this format:
Match User user1 parameter1 parameter2 Match
Or in this format:
Match User user2 parameter1 parameter2 Match All
This has never been considered correct syntax but has been accepted without error by previous releases of OpenSSH.
Resolution
Remove the lines which say
Match but which contain no other match conditions. The correct syntax for Match blocks has always been in this format:
Match User user1 parameter1 parameter2 Match User user2 parameter1 parameter2
Affected Products
AvamarProducts
AvamarArticle Properties
Article Number: 000052339
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 08 Aug 2025
Version: 4
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